Whether you took the abortion pill or had a surgical abortion, one of the risks is an incomplete abortion. If all the products of the pregnancy are not removed from the uterus, this is considered an incomplete abortion. This can be more common after taking the abortion pill, but it happens after surgical abortions as well.
For most women, the primary symptom is moderate to severe vaginal bleeding that lasts days or even weeks as well as cramps that are slightly less severe than contractions (as the body works to expel the remnants of the pregnancy).
You should contact your healthcare provider right away if you bleed enough to soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours or if you are concerned about heavy bleeding or severe cramping.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) here are other common signs of incomplete abortion:
If you’ve recently had an abortion and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately because incomplete abortions can cause health complications such as uterine rupture or perforation, infection, cervical damage, etc. For your wellbeing, seek medical help immediately.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, the Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic can help. We are not an abortion provider but we offer important first steps including clinical pregnancy testing, ultrasound to confirm and date the pregnancy, and education on all pregnancy options available to you including abortion.
We are here to help you make an informed and empowered decision for your reproductive health, so schedule an appointment today! All of our services are free and confidential.
The Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic is a non-profit Community Health Clinic specializing in pregnancy confirmation and helping those facing unintended pregnancy explore their options. We do not provide extended OB/GYN or prenatal care or STD/STI testing or treatment, nor do we perform or refer for abortion services, the abortion pill, emergency contraception, or birth control. The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.