How does abortion affect women?

Overview

Legal abortion is a relatively safe procedure, particularly when performed early in pregnancy and by experienced doctors. There are in fact less risks associated with early abortion than with continuing a pregnancy and child birth. 

However, no clinical procedures are completely free from risk; the information below summarises some of the principle risks. More serious complications are rare. If a woman has particular concerns, though, she should talk these through with her doctor.

Complications

• Abortions performed in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy carry a small risk of failure to end the pregnancy. This affects between 0.23% and 1.4% of early abortions. When a woman is asked to attend a follow up appointment after an abortion it is important that she attends, as a post abortion check will ensure that the abortion is complete.
• Infection after an abortion occurs in up to 10% of cases. Antibiotics are routinely used to prevent and treat infections, so where they are prescribed it is important that a woman completes the full course. If an infection is left untreated, it can cause more serious complications.
• If a woman experiences continuous and heavy bleeding, lasting pain or abdominal tenderness, or a temperature she must see a doctor immediately as these could be symptoms of an infection.
• The RCOG is clear that a straight forward abortion will not lead to infertility. Only a small proportion of the very few women who experience a serious complication may experience reduced fertility or be unable to conceive again.

   

   

Does abortion cause psychological problems?

Several studies have shown that having an abortion does not lead to psychological problems. Although women may regret having to have an abortion the vast majority find that they have no emotional problems after it.

A small number - about 3% - have long-term feelings of guilt and some of these feel that the abortion was a mistake. But for these women the unwanted pregnancy was usually one of many problems in their lives, and these problems continued after the abortion. There is some evidence that for most of these women not having the abortion would not have improved their situation or might have made it worse.

Many women feel relieved once it is over and, looking back, view the decision to end the pregnancy as regrettable but necessary.