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Abortion

• Overview
• Recovery
• Risks

Alternative Names:

Suction curettage

Risks:

Risks of surgical abortion include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
• Damage to the uterus or cervix
• Emotional or psychological distress

The risks of surgical abortion increase as a woman gets further along in her pregnancy. That's why it's important to make a decision about abortion as early as possible, when the procedure is safest.

Risks of medical (non-surgical) abortion include:

• Prolonged bleeding
• Fetus not passing completely from body, making surgery necessary
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pain

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

The risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection

References:

ACOG. Clinical management guidelines of obstetrician-gynecologists. Medical management of abortion. Obstet Gynecol . 2005 Oct;106(4):871-82.

Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL. Obstetrics - Normal and Problem Pregnancies . 4th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2002:622-644.

Stenchever A. Comprehensive Gynecology . 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:413-434.

• Review Date: 3/29/2007
• Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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