Abortion Side Effects and Risks
Be Informed – know the risks
Call us 410-377-2871 or Text Us 410-970-3897
Abortion Side Effects and Risks
know the risks
Call us 410-377-2871 or Text Us 410-970-3897
Abortion Risks
Every type of abortion has side effects and carries risks to your health. We are here to provide you with accurate medical information so that you are able to make an informed decision.
Side effects (which can occur for 3 days) include1:
- weakness
- headache
- fever/chills
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- dizziness
Serious side effects include3, 4:
- excessive or prolonged bleeding
- tissue being left inside the uterus
- pelvic infection
- failure to terminate the pregnancy
- blood clots
- allergic reaction to medication
If the medical abortion fails to terminate the pregnancy, your doctor may perform an ultrasound to determine if you require a surgical abortion2.
You are not alone. Call us or Request an appointment today.
First & Second Trimester Abortion - Side Effects2
- sweating
- nausea
- feeling faint
- cramping, both during the procedure and possibly for several days more while your uterus returns to its size before pregnancy.
First & Second Trimester Abortion - Serious Complications that require immediate attention4
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding (passing large blood clots, filling more than 2 pads in 1 hour, and bleeding for 12 hours or more)
- Signs of infection include headache, dizziness, feeling of illness, and muscle aches, with or without fever
- Vomiting lasting more than 4 hours
- Severe abdominal pain
- Pain and/or swelling in the vaginal area
- Vaginal discharge with a foul smell
- Hot flashes or fever
First & Second Trimester Abortion - Long-Term Risks
- Scarring in the uterus5
- Infection from bacteria that entered during the procedure, or from an untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI) 7
- Perforation to the uterine wall, or cut or torn cervix7
- Studies have shown a moderate to high risk of developing mental health problems following an abortion.9
- Complications during an abortion and/or having multiple abortions may impact your future pregnancies:
- Chance of low birth weight and/or premature birth in future pregnancies5
- Multiple abortions using a curet that results in uterine scarring (Asherman syndrome) has been linked to difficulty in becoming pregnant in the future.5
Questions & Answers
In Maryland, a woman may terminate her pregnancy up to 24 weeks.
The time it takes to complete an abortion depends on the type of abortion you have. A medication abortion (or abortion pill) usually takes approximately 3 days to terminate the pregnancy and up to 2 weeks for side effects to subside. For a first or second trimester abortion, the procedure in the clinic can take about a 1/2 hour, though you will be required to stay for a few hours for observation. Side effects will continue at home for a few days with light to moderate bleeding for another 2-4 weeks.8
At Towson Women’s Care, we have been helping women weigh their options since 1982. Our experienced client advocates and medical professionals are here to discuss all of your options in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment. Contact us today 410-377-2871.
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
[3] https://www.fda.gov/media/112118/download
[4] https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/the-abortion-pill/how-safe-is-the-abortion-pill
[5]https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551
[6] https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/the-rh-factor-how-it-can-affect-your-pregnancy
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430793/
[8] https://www.healthline.com/health/late-term-abortion#recovery
If you are considering abortion, we offer FREE pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, and provide confidential counseling to assist you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Wondering if you even need an abortion?
One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage. Abortion may not be necessary.
Wondering if you even need an abortion?
Are you unsure if your pregnancy is viable?
What Our Clients Are Saying
What Our Clients Are Saying
Questions & Answers
Yes, we are not currently taking walk-ins. To make an appointment, please text us at (410) 970-3897 or call us at (410) 377-2871.
We recommend you make an appointment if you have missed a period, have any pregnancy related questions, or think you or a friend might be pregnant.
After completing paperwork, you will meet with our professionals to go over your information and a pregnancy test will be administered. With a positive pregnancy test result, we will perform an ultrasound to confirm whether or not you have a viable (living), intrauterine pregnancy.
All our services are provided free of charge.
All you need is your photo ID.
Absolutely, you can bring your boyfriend, family member or friend. We will talk with you privately first. Then provided you have given us consent to have them in the room, your guest will be able to join you.
We adhere to a strict privacy and confidentiality policy. Clients will be protected from disclosure of information that violates their right to privacy except where required by law, required for public health reasons, required to avert a threat of harm to the client or a third person, or when other circumstances may reasonably warrant such use or disclosure without prior authorization (e.g., abuse reporting, suicide/homicide prevention, etc.).
Although Towson Women’s Care does not perform nor refer for abortions, we are here to support you during an unplanned pregnancy. At our center we do offer help and support to women who are deciding between abortion, parenting or adoption. We understand that although this moment in your life may feel completely out of control and insurmountable, we are here for you. We offer real support for women during pregnancy and up to a year following birth and we counsel women through the adoption process. All of our services are FREE and Confidential. Since 1982 we have been helping women in your exact situation and we are here to tell you that there is hope.
Hours*
Monday 9:30-4:30
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday 9:30-4:30
Thursday 9:30-4:30
Friday 9:30-1:30
Saturday – Closed
*Please call to verify hours.