Whether you’ve recently had an abortion or are still weighing your options, understanding the potential physical risks involved is an important part of taking care of your health. Womb damage and infection are among the complications that can follow an abortion procedure, and knowing the warning signs means you can act quickly if something doesn’t feel right.
PCS Health is a licensed medical clinic offering free, confidential services to help you understand your options and protect your health every step of the way.
Contact us today to request a confidential appointment.
Warning Signs to Watch For After an Abortion
Both the abortion pill, which typically takes place at home, and surgical abortion procedures carry risks that require monitoring afterward. Because an abortion pill is taken outside of a clinical setting, it is especially important to know what normal recovery looks like and when a symptom may indicate something that needs immediate attention.
Warning signs of physical complications following an abortion include:
- Heavy bleeding or hemorrhaging, such as soaking two or more pads per hour for two or more hours
- Passing large blood clots for an extended period
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Rapid heart rate
- Vomiting lasting four to six hours or more
- Pain, swelling, or redness in the genital area
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, do not wait to see if they resolve on their own. Visit your nearest emergency room or call your provider immediately. Your health should always be the priority.
Steps to Protect Your Health
If you are still deciding, there are several steps you can take to protect your health before taking any next step. An obstetric ultrasound is one of the most important. A limited ultrasound can confirm three things that directly affect your health and your options:
- Gestational age: How far along a pregnancy is can affect the abortion procedures involved and the potential risks involved.
- Pregnancy location: A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus is called an ectopic pregnancy. This condition requires prompt medical attention and cannot be treated with the abortion pill. Confirming that the pregnancy is located in the uterus is a critical safety step.
- Pregnancy viability: An ultrasound can detect fetal cardiac activity and confirm whether the pregnancy is developing. If a miscarriage has already occurred, an abortion procedure may not be necessary.
STI testing is also worth considering before an abortion. An untreated STI/STD at the time of a procedure can increase the risk of infection and contribute to more serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PCS Health offers confidential STI/STD testing as part of its no-cost services.
Free, Confidential Care at PCS Health
PCS Health offers free, confidential pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, STI/STD testing, options information, and post-abortion counseling. Whether you are looking for follow-up support after an abortion or want to understand your options before making a decision, our team is here to provide compassionate, accurate care.
Contact PCS Health today to request your free, confidential appointment.