Most abortions, whether medical or procedural, are safe when performed by trained healthcare providers. But as with any medical intervention, there are some risks to be aware of.
Infection
Infection is one of the more serious complications of abortions, though it’s uncommon, explains Dr. Robles.
Excessive Bleeding
In rare cases, excessive bleeding may require medications to control it or a blood transfusion, says Dr. Feinberg. While it can be alarming, excessive bleeding typically doesn’t affect fertility, explains Robles.
Retained Pregnancy Tissue
Sometimes, not all of the pregnancy tissue is expelled or removed from the uterus after an abortion (known as an incomplete abortion). When this occurs, you may require a follow-up procedure, like a dilation and evacuation, to remove the remaining tissue, says Robles.
An incomplete abortion itself usually doesn’t affect fertility. But repeated procedures can increase the risk of uterine scarring, which can affect the ability to get pregnant in the future, he adds.
Asherman’s Syndrome
Uterine Perforation
A small hole can accidentally occur in the uterine wall during a surgical abortion, says Feinberg. This is called a uterine perforation and rarely happens. “Most uterine perforations heal without any long-term consequences,” she says. But if the perforation affects blood vessels in the uterus, it can cause significant bleeding and may require emergency surgery, such as a hysterectomy, she says.
A uterine perforation can also weaken the uterine muscle, says Dr. Sharma. This weakness may lead to problems with future pregnancies, such as uterine rupture (in which the uterus tears) or issues with the placenta (the organ in the uterus that supplies nutrients and oxygen to the baby).
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