Risks of Abortion

After an abortion there may be serious complications such as:

  • Heavy or persistent vaginal bleeding
  • Infection or sepsis
  • Damage to the cervix
  • Scarring of the uterine lining
  • Perforation of the uterus
  • Damage to other organs

Seek immediate medical attention from the nearest emergency room if you experience any of the following after an abortion:

  • Severe vaginal bleeding. Both medical and surgical abortions usually cause bleeding that is different than a normal menstrual period. Severe bleeding can mean:
    • Passing clots that are bigger than a golf ball, lasting 2 or more hours.
    • Soaking more than 2 large pads in an hour, for 2 hours in a row.
    • Bleeding heavily for 12 hours in a row.
  • Signs of infection in your whole body, such as headache, muscle aches, dizziness, or a general feeling of illness. Severe infection is possible without fever.
  • Severe pain in the belly that is not relieved by pain medication, rest, or heat application.
  • Hot flushes or a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that lasts longer than 4 hours.
  • Vomiting lasting more than 4 to 6 hours.
  • Sudden abdominal swelling.
  • Rapid heart rate or palpitations.
  • Vaginal discharge that has increased in amount or smells bad.
  • Pain, swelling, or redness in the genital area.

You should come in to see a medical provider if you experience any of the following:

  • Vaginal bleeding (not spotting) longer than 2 weeks
  • New, unexplained symptoms, which could be caused by medications used in your treatment
  • No menstrual period within 6 weeks after the procedure
  • Signs and symptoms of depression

Sometimes after an abortion, a woman suffers from Post-Abortion Syndrome that can make daily living challenging. If you are having any symptoms please call our office. Some symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome include:

  • Guilt
  • Anxiety
  • Avoiding children or pregnant women
  • Feeling "numb"
  • Depression
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Anniversary reminders (either of the baby’s due date or abortion date)
  • Experiencing the abortion again (flashbacks)
  • Wanting to get pregnant again right away
  • Promiscuity
  • Multiple abortions
  • Problems with intimacy and frequent break-ups
  • Fear of infertility
  • Unable to bond with present or future children
  • Fear that future children will die
  • Eating disorders
  • Alcohol and drug use

We have a support group that meets monthly here at our office. Meetings are at 9:30am once a month on Saturdays. For more information and questions contact Wendy at 480-298-3245 awendysorauf@yahoo.com or Karen at 480-329-6795 karenord.rv@gmail.com (link to schedule)