How Common Are Abortion Complications?

Abortion is a very safe procedure in the UK, whether you’ve having a medical abortion or a surgical termination. However, there’s always a chance of complications with any medical treatment. Your doctor at the 132 Healthwise clinic will explain these in detail before the procedure so that you can make an informed decision about your care.

Statistics on Abortion Risks

• Up to 1 in 10 women will develop an infection after an abortion, which is usually mild and treatable with antibiotics
• Untreated infections could develop into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• 1 in 100 women who have a surgical termination will have some damage to the cervix, the risk is higher for later term pregnancy terminations
• 1 in 1000 women will have some damage to the womb during a surgical abortion, the risk is higher for late abortions and lower for early surgical abortions
• 1 in 1000 women will have severe blood loss after a first trimester abortion
• 4 in 1000 women will experience severe blood loss if the abortion is performed after 20 weeks for medical reasons
• Less than 1 in 100 pregnancy terminations won’t complete the abortion, so further treatment will be required to end the pregnancy
• No additional risk of mental health conditions compared to women who choose to continue with their pregnancy

Signs of Complications After an Abortion

Most abortion complications can be treated successfully as long as they’re spotted quickly. If you notice any of the following symptoms after a pregnancy termination then you should contact your doctor:

• Losing more blood than expected
• Severe abdominal pain
• High fever or fever that lasts longer than 24 hours
• Unusual or smelly discharge

If you’re worried about the risks of abortion then you can discuss them with Mr Michael Stafford during your initial consultation at the abortion clinic in London. Pregnancy termination is a very safe procedure, but it’s always important to be aware of the potential side effects, even when they are rare.