There are risks with any medical procedure, and abortion is no exception. One of the physical risks is an incomplete abortion, which means the pregnancy ends, but not all of the pregnancy tissue leaves the body. An incomplete abortion is also known as retained products of conception.
When tissue remains inside, it can cause severe bleeding, infection, and other health complications. Make sure you recognize the signs of an incomplete abortion so that you are prepared to seek care if needed.
How Can an Abortion Be Incomplete?
Both the abortion pill method and surgical abortion have the potential of being incomplete. The FDA approves the drugs used in the abortion pill method (a medical abortion) through 10 weeks of pregnancy only.
The drugs become less effective the farther along you are. You have a greater chance of an incomplete abortion if you have an abortion in the second trimester.
You also run the risk of retained products of conception if the abortion provider uses surgical instruments such as forceps or vacuum aspiration.
What Symptoms Should I Look For?
Some of the physical symptoms of an incomplete abortion include the following:
- Heavy bleeding or blood clots
- Fever
- Missed menstrual periods
- An enlarged and tender uterus
- Infection
- Pelvic pain
What Should I Do Before An Abortion?
We recommend closely following our checklist before an abortion. You need the information that only a viability ultrasound can provide. This scan determines how far along you are in your pregnancy and if it is developing.
Over one in four of all pregnancies ends in a natural miscarriage. By accurately dating your pregnancy and determining if it’s developing or you have miscarried, you protect your health.
How Can Women’s Clinics Help Me?
If you think you’re pregnant, your first step is to schedule an appointment at Women’s Clinics for free pregnancy testing. If your test is positive and you meet specific criteria, we can schedule you for a free viability ultrasound.
Schedule an appointment at one of our Women’s Clinics locations and receive free pregnancy services. We value your health and want to provide services and information that ensure you are safe and prepared. We are here for you!
Women’s Clinics does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.