How Will Abortion Affect Me Physically?

pregnant woman curious about how will abortion affect her physically

Just as every woman is unique, her experience physically and mentally with abortion will also be unique. There is no way to determine how you would be affected, but there are side effects and potential risks you should be aware of.

Every abortion involves a certain amount of bleeding and cramping, but knowing how much is too much is critical. Take a moment to read What Are The Different Types of Abortion? to familiarize yourself with some of the side effects and risks.

What Are the Side Effects?

Some bleeding and cramping are a part of every abortion, but you need to know what to expect, especially with abortion drugs. A medical abortion (the abortion pill method) uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy.

The first drug, mifepristone, often causes an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly a fever and chills. You could also experience a headache.

With a surgical abortion, you can expect irregular bleeding, dizziness or lightheadedness, and a fever.

The second drug in the abortion pill regimen causes contractions and bleeding. Some women have reported heavy bleeding and severe pain. Abortion providers for both medical and surgical procedures suggest contacting them if you bleed heavy enough that you soak two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row.

What Are the Physical Effects?

In addition, you need to contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

Pain in your stomach or pelvis that gets worse instead of better
Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
Fast heart rate
Fever and chills that last more than four hours
Cramps that last more than 48 hours

Getting an infection is a risk for both types of abortion. Some of these signs, such as a fever, chills, cramping, and a vaginal discharge, could be symptoms of an infection. This is why it’s essential to have a follow-up visit to ensure the abortion is complete.

You Have Options

If you have discovered you are unexpectedly pregnant and are considering abortion, be sure to learn about your options first. You have three choices: have an abortion, make an adoption plan, or choose to parent.

Talk with a caring team member at Lamb of God as you learn about your pregnancy options. Our maternity homes are a safe place to receive support and freely discuss your future. We are here to help you during this difficult time.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.