Specific Abortion Procedures and Possible Side Effects
The side effects of abortion vary, depending on the type of abortion procedure that is done. Here are several types of abortions along with the risks involved:- Medical Abortion: The woman is given medicine without having to undergo surgery. It generally requires 3 visits to the clinic. The FDA allows this type of abortion procedure up to 49 days after the last menstrual period. Mifepristone (RU 486) is often given as the medicine and causes the mother to pass clots, tissue, and the unborn child. It is important to go to each of the follow-up appointments.
Side effects of this abortion procedure include: bleeding for 3 weeks or more, swelling of lips or face, cramping, pain, vomiting, chills, dizziness, fatigue, infection, back pain, and other complications. Side effects to the baby include starvation and death. Long term effects are still being studied. - Suction Aspiration or "curettage": This procedure is done in the first trimester. The doctor dilates the cervix and suctions out the baby. The uterine walls may be scraped to be sure everything is completely removed-amniotic fluid, placental tissue, and fetal parts.
Side effects of this abortion procedure include: cramping, pelvic pain, uterine damage, injury to the bowel, bladder, or cervix, heavy bleeding, or more serious complications. If the baby is not completely removed, infection can easily develop, which is the most common post-abortion complication. Side effect to the baby is death. - Dilation and Curettage (D&C): This is also done in the first trimester. The cervix is dilated and a loop-shaped knife is used to cut up and remove the baby. The uterine wall is scraped to remove the fluid, placental tissue, and fetal parts.
Side effects of this abortion procedure include: cramping, pelvic pain, uterine damage, injury to the bowel, bladder, or cervix, heavy bleeding, or more serious complications. Blood loss, damage to the uterus, and infection are the most common side effects. Side effect to the baby is death. - Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): Within 24 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor will dilate the cervix and scrape the uterus to remove the baby and placenta. If the procedure is done after 16 weeks, the baby is removed using forceps.
Side effects of this abortion procedure include: damage to the uterus, cervix, bowel, or bladder, infection, or other serious conditions. Others surgeries may be necessary if the baby is not removed completely or if complications occur. Side effects to the baby include death. - Medical Induction: This procedure, used after 16 weeks, uses medicines to start labor. It can take several hours to several days for labor to complete. The uterus is sometimes scraped to be sure everything is removed.
Side effects of this abortion procedure include: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, infection, heavy bleeding, and other more serious risks. If a baby is born alive, the doctor may be obligated to care for the child. Other surgeries may be necessary if complications occur. Side effects to the baby include death. - Dilation and Extraction (D&X): This procedure is done between 20 and 32 weeks. The cervix is dialated and the doctor clamps the baby's foot with an instrument, pulling out the child except for the head. Then scissors are used to make a hole in the back of the baby's head, a tube inserted, and the contents are suctioned out. The head collapses and the baby is born dead.
Side effects of this abortion procedure include: damage to the uterus, bowel, bladder, or cervix, heavy bleeding, or other serious conditions that may require an additional surgery. There also may be an inability to get pregnant in the future due to complications. Side effects to the baby include death.
Resources:
https://www.optionline.org/abortioneducation
https://www.midlandlifecenter.org/abortion-risksprocedures
https://www.nrlc.org/abortion/medicalfacts/techniques/
