General Risks and Side Effects of Abortions
Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS)
PAS is defined as the stress reaction experienced after having an abortion. PAS is a sub-category of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PAS may include any of the following: guilt, anxiety, numbness, depression, flashbacks, and suicidal thoughts.
Additional Side Effects
A study of American women who had experienced one or more abortions indicated the following reactions were found to be associated with abortion:
- Feelings of sadness or loss: 55.8%
- Fears concerning future pregnancies: 36.9%
- Nightmares: 30%
- Withdrawal from family and friends: 30%
- Help needed to deal with the loss: 29%
- Increase in alcohol or drug use: 26.7%
- Difficulty controlling anger: 24%
- Difficulty sleeping: 23%
- Relationship ended with partner: 19.8%
Several studies have shown abortion increases a woman’s risk of having a premature delivery in future births. These studies have also shown a link between induced abortion and an increased risk for breast cancer.
Within 10 weeks of LMP*
RU-486 (abortion pill)
The FDA-approved regimen is a two-visit process involving two different drugs:
Mifeprex is given orally during an office visit. Mifeprex blocks progesterone, interrupting pregnancy development and prompting detachment of the implanted embryo.
Misoprostol is taken at home 24-48 hours later. Misoprostol induces contractions to empty the uterus. A follow-up appointment is done to ensure the abortion is complete.
WARNING: The FDA has approved Mifeprex for use only up to 70 days (10 weeks) from LMP. Deviations from the approved regimen increase the risk of harmful complications.
Do not buy Mifeprex over the Internet because you will bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health. Mifeprex has special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. Also, drugs purchased from foreign internet sources are not the FDA-approved version and are not subject to FDA manufacturing controls or quality inspections.
Risks and side effects
- 8-10% failure of pills, requiring a surgical abortion to complete the termination.
- Hemorrhaging (failure to stop bleeding), cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, infection.
- Not advised for women with anemia, bleeding disorders, liver or kidney disease, seizure disorder, acute inflammatory bowel disease, who have an IUD, or are unable to return for the next visit.
Fetal development LMP-10W
- Heart begins to beat
- Brain, spinal cord, and nerves develop
- Face takes shape with eyes, nose, ears & upper lip
- All limbs form with bones along with fingers & toes
- Internal reproductive organs are forming
- Brain connections are forming
- Movement begins
6-16 Weeks & 6 days after LMP*
Vacuum Aspiration OR Suction Cutterage
- The patient will lie on her back with feet in stirrups and a speculum is inserted to open the vagina.
- A local anesthetic is administered to the cervix. Most women feel some pain like strong menstrual cramps during the procedure. A tenaculum (a slender, sharply pointed hook attached to a handle that is used for clamping and seizing tissue in surgeries) is used to hold the cervix in place to be dilated. The cervix is opened by putting in and taking out metal rods that will open the cervix the exact amount needed.
- When the cervix is open enough, a cannula (long plastic tube) connected to a suction machine is inserted into the uterus to suction out the fetus and
placenta. - The procedure usually lasts 10-15 minutes but may require staying at the clinic for a few hours to observe for complications.
Risks and side effects
- Cramping, nausea, feeling faint, scarring of the uterus lining.
- Less frequent side effects are: hemorrhaging, blood clots, damage to cervix, perforation (poking a hole) through the uterus.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease caused by an untreated STD or bacteria introduced into the uterus. May be asymptomatic or can cause fever, pain, abdominal tenderness, and possible infertility
Fetal development 10W-16W6D
- Profile well defined
- Eyes are open
- Fingerprint ridges start forming from the friction of touch
- Fingernails and irises in the eyes develop
- External genitalia are forming
- Kidneys produce urine and teeth are forming
17-20 weeks & 6 days after LMP*
Dilation & Evacuation (D&E)
- Dilation and curettage is similar to suction aspiration except that it uses a curette, a long, looped shaped knife that scrapes the lining, placenta, and fetus away from the uterus.
- Cone-shaped rods, increasing in size, are used to dilate the cervix.
- A cannula is inserted to begin removing tissue away from the lining. Then a curette may be used to scrape out any residual tissue.
- If necessary, forceps are used to remove larger tissue.
- Procedure usually lasts approximately 30 minutes
Risks and side effects
- Nausea, bleeding, cramping, and dizziness may occur for two weeks following the procedure.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease caused by an untreated STD or bacteria introduced into the uterus. May be asymptomatic or can cause fever, pain, abdominal tenderness, and possible infertility.
- Infection due to remaining tissues in the uterus.
- Although rare, additional risks include: damage to uterine lining or cervix, perforation (poking a hole) of the uterus, blood clots, and sepsis (infections entering blood)
Fetal development 17W-20W6D
- Swallowing and sucking
- Joints are developed and flutters turn into kicks and jabs
- Eyebrows and lips fully forming
- Senses are developing such as smell, vision, touch/pain, taste, and hearing (including hearing your voice)
- You begin to feel movement
*Last mentrual period
Research
Glover V Fisk, NM “Fetal pain: Implication for Research and Practice”
Lanfranchi, Gentles, and Ring-Cassidy “Abortion’s Impact on Women” 1st ed. Biology and epidemiology confirm the abortion-breast cancer link; p.109-142
Rue, Coleman, Rue, and Reardon “Induced Abortion and Traumatic Stress” https://medscimonit.com/download/index/idArt/11784
Babbel “Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS) – Does It Exist?”
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/somatic-psychology/201010/post-abortion-stress-syndrome-pass-does-it-exist
Anderson “Abortion and the Risk of Breast Cancer: Information for the Adolescent Woman
and Her Parents” https://acpeds.org/position-statements/reproductive-choices-of-young-women-affecting-future-breast-cancer-risk
https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-baby/fetal-development-week-by-week_10406730
DISCLAIMER: This fact sheet is designed to be an informational tool only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or replace care from a qualified medical practitioner.
