Surgical Abortions

Abortion isn't necessarily as "safe and easy" as many make it out to be. Here are the risks of abortion-both chemical and surgical, and the effect it may have on you both now and in the future.

Future Ectopic Pregnancies
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease [PID]
Placenta Previa
Infertility
Psychological/Emotional Trauma

Abortion Health Risks
Pain
Hemorrhage
Infection
Perforation
Tubal Pregnancy
Effect on Future Pregnancies
Emotional and Spiritual Risks
Death

The health risks of abortion increase with each continuing week of pregnancy.
Be sure to ask the abortion facility the following questions:

1. What is the name of the physician performing the abortion?
2.  In the case that hospital care is needed, can the doctor admit patients into local hospitals, and, if so, which ones?
3. Does the provider follow all the laws regulating abortion in your state?
4.  When is money due for the procedure?  If it due before or after counseling or information is provided to you?
5. Can you change your mind and get your money back at any point in the process?
6. Will you receive an ultrasound and/or STD testing and, if so, is there an additional cost?
7. Will this facility treat for complications. If not, where should I call?
8. At what hospitals do you have privileges?

If you are considering abortion because of your circumstances, know that you can change your situation. If you aren't sure about this choice, take time to find out why you have these feelings.
PCC is here to help you in any situation regardless of your decision.

Future Ectopic Pregnancies

Studies point out that the risk of an ectopic or tubal (not in the uterus but in the tubes that lead to the uterus) pregnancy is 30% higher for women who have had one abortion, and up to 4 times higher for women with 2 or more abortions.
When a woman has an ectopic pregnancy she has a 12% risk of dying in a future pregnancy.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

• 5% of women suffer PID following induced [or surgical] abortion. PID can lead to fever and infertility [not being able to become pregnant again]

• There is a 23% risk of infection if you have an STD [Sexually Transmitted Disease]

• 40% of the sexually active are suspected carriers of STDs

Placenta Previa

Placenta previa is a condition in pregnancy where the sac holding the baby [the placenta] tears away from the uterine lining. This can result in extreme and severe life-threatening bleeding. Women who have experienced abortion have a 600% increase in their risk of placenta previa in future pregnancies.

Infertility

Infertility and sterility mean that a woman cannot get pregnant. Abortion causes sterility in 2-5% of the women who have had an abortion.

Psychological/Emotional Trauma

50% of women who have had abortions report experiencing emotional and psychological problems lasting for months or years. These emotions include, but aren't limited to :

• acute feelings of grief

• depression

• anger

• fear of disclosure

• preoccupation with babies or getting pregnant again

• nightmares

• sexual dysfunction

• termination of relationships

• emotional coldness

• increased alcohol and drug abuse

• eating disorders

• anxiety

• flashbacks of abortion experience

• anniversary syndrome

• repeat abortions

• suicide

Many of these women go on to report they regret their choice and would do anything to go back and undo the decision that resulted in so much pain.

Pain

When asked if the abortion was painful, most women say, "YES." The amount of pain varies from little to excruciating.

Hemorrhage

Heavy bleeding is the most common side effect after abortion. Sometimes hospitalization is required to stop the bleeding and replace lost blood.

Infection

Infection may follow an abortion because the sterile seal protecting the uterus is broken.

Perforation

Sometimes an abortion instrument accidentally stabs a hole through the uterus. This instrument can also damage one of the organs surrounding the uterus. In some cases, surgery is the only way to repair the damage.

Tubal Pregnancy

Sometimes the fetus grows in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. An abortion would not remove the fetus from the fallopian tube and the fetus would continue to grow.

Effect on Future Pregnancies

Injury to the cervix during abortion may result in an early loss of a future pregnancy. The risk of future miscarriage increases with each abortion.

Emotional and Spiritual Risks

When the initial relief of the abortion passes, many women suffer from unexpected emotional distress including:

• acute feelings of grief or sadness

• shame

• anger

• guilt

• hallucinations and/or nightmares

• sexual dysfunction

• difficulty keeping close relationships

• flashbacks of abortion experience

• anniversary reactions [on date of abortion or baby's due date]

• feelings of separation from God

• suicidal thoughts

Many of these women go on to report they regret their choice and would do anything to go back and undo the decision that resulted in so much pain.

Death

Very rarely death occurs after an abortion. The risk of death increases after the first 3 months. The cause of death is heavy bleeding or complications with abortion medications.