In our last blog, we talked about how abortion will affect you mentally. This time, we’re going to explore the physical effects of an abortion. 

Although every woman’s body responds differently, there are some side effects, like bleeding and cramping, that all women experience. Knowing what physical symptoms to expect is critical to prepare you if anything goes wrong.

What Happens To My Body During A Medication Abortion?

A medication abortion is also known as the abortion pill. This method uses two drugs over a 24 to 48-hour period to terminate a pregnancy. 

The FDA highly regulates the first drug, mifepristone. Only certified providers can prescribe it. They recommend not taking it if you have been pregnant for more than 10 weeks (70 days past the first day of your last period).

Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone that helps a pregnancy grow. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot survive. Misoprostol, the second drug, causes bleeding and cramping to expel the pregnancy from your body through the vagina.

Potential Physical Side Effects

According to experts, you may experience some of these side effects:

• Diarrhea
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness or fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

They recommend contacting your healthcare provider if you have excessive and prolonged bleeding or signs of an infection. Because there is a possibility of an incomplete abortion (the pregnancy and tissue do not entirely leave your body), you may need to have a surgical procedure.

What Happens During a Surgical Abortion Procedure?

How far along you are in your pregnancy determines the surgical procedure you qualify for. If you are still in your first trimester (12 weeks of pregnancy or under), you could have vacuum or suction aspiration. 

As your pregnancy continues, the abortion provider could add a curette, which is a sharp instrument used for scraping, or forceps to remove larger parts. 

You will experience bleeding and cramping, which is a side effect of all abortions. Because most surgical abortion procedures require the provider to administer some form of anesthesia, you may experience dizziness, nausea, or diarrhea. 

Experts suggest contacting your provider if you experience a tender or painful belly, fever, heavy bleeding, large blood clots, severe abdominal cramps, or an unusual or foul-smelling vaginal discharge. 

Before Having An Abortion

The staff at Azar House recommends doing a couple of things before having an abortion:

• Confirm you are pregnant with confidential pregnancy testing and an ultrasound. We offer both free of charge. 
• Review your situation and pregnancy options. We provide free and confidential options education.

We care about you and your physical health. Considering abortion for your unplanned pregnancy is a big decision. Let us give you the information you need beforehand. 

Schedule an appointment online or call or text us at (307) 880-2927. We’re here for you.