Signs and Symptoms of an Incomplete Abortion
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At Willow Womens Center, we understand the stress and overwhelm that accompany unplanned pregnancies. On top of deciding the future for your baby, you also have to consider the risk you are accepting for yourself with each option. All options come with inherent risk. Unfortunately, some women who make the difficult choice to terminate their pregnancy end up experiencing an unexpected complication: incomplete abortion.
Women and couples who find out they are expecting typically have three options:
- Choosing to continue the pregnancy and raise the child, which involves significant responsibility but can be rewarding with the right support and resources
- Carrying the pregnancy to term and then placing the child with adoptive parents, where you can choose whether to maintain contact with the child or not
- Terminating the pregnancy through surgical or medical interventions, which is typically only available if the pregnancy is still in early stages
The decision to have an abortion is a complex and deeply personal one based on emotional readiness for parenting, personal beliefs, financial circumstances, and more. Pregnancy options counseling, community support services, and parenting classes can offer tremendous support during the decision-making process. The more you know, the easier it is to make an informed decision.
In this blog, we will explore incomplete abortions in depth. We will discuss what an incomplete abortion is, what causes it, the signs and symptoms, when to see a doctor and more.
What is an Incomplete Abortion?
First, it is important to understand abortion. Abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy, resulting in the removal or expulsion of the products of conception and preventing further development and potential birth. Abortion can be performed using medication to induce the termination of pregnancy for women who are less than 10 weeks pregnant. It can also be performed surgically through procedures like vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C) and dilation and evacuation (D&E).
Just like its name suggests, an incomplete abortion occurs when your medical or surgical abortion fails to fully remove all pregnancy and fetal tissue from your womb. This remaining tissue can lead to problems and complications. In some cases, a viable pregnancy remains.
What Causes an Incomplete Abortion
Incomplete abortions occur most often when the abortion pill – or medications used to induce abortion – are taken too late in pregnancy. This can happen if the pregnancy isn’t confirmed before the abortion pill is prescribed. It can also happen if you take the abortion pill without receiving corresponding medical care. This is most common when the pill is ordered online or received from someone who is not authorized to give it to you.
Incomplete surgical abortions can be caused by anatomical differences that make it more challenging to remove all of the productions of conception. Complications during the procedure can also increase your risk.
It is imperative to have an ultrasound examination before an abortion procedure. Seek guidance from a qualified medical professional to prevent this and other serious complications.
What are the Symptoms of an Incomplete Abortion
After your medical or surgical abortion, follow your provider’s instructions for recovery.
It is normal to experience some cramping and bleeding after a medical or surgical abortion. Symptoms that might indicate there is still some tissue remaining include:
- continued or heavy bleeding beyond what is expected after an abortion
- persistent or increasing abdominal or pelvic pain, which might be accompanied by cramping
- a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- passing large clots or visible tissue that seems to be different from what you expect after an abortion
- foul-smelling discharge
- signs of pregnancy after abortion like breast tenderness, fatigue, or nausea that persist after the procedure
What to Do if You are Having These Symptoms
If you think you might have an incomplete abortion, see a doctor as soon as possible. If you develop a fever after a surgical or medical abortion, seek emergency medical attention.
How Likely is an Incomplete Abortion?
Almost half of all abortions are unsafe. Unsafe abortions are most likely to result in serious and life-threatening complications.
The likelihood of incomplete abortion is substantially lowered when you partner with a qualified team to determine the gestational age of the fetus before moving forward with an abortion and, if you choose, plan and carry out the termination of pregnancy. Only take medications prescribed to you by a doctor who is treating you.
Sometimes, anatomical abnormalities lead to this complication in even the safest situations.
Treatment for Incomplete Abortion
First, an ultrasound is required to confirm if tissue remains in the uterus after your procedure. Then, there are three primary approaches to incomplete abortion:
- monitoring ongoing hCG levels and preparing for a potentially successful pregnancy
- removing the remnants of the pregnancy through vacuum aspiration, an outpatient procedure
- removing the remnants of the pregnancy through the administration of medication
In some cases, women go on to have healthy pregnancies and deliveries after a failed abortion. The team at Willow Womens Center has helped women in this situation understand their options, get the care they need and prepare to parent their children.
Do you think you might be pregnant? Willow Womens Center offers free, compassionate services for women and couples facing unplanned pregnancy, including:
- STI screening and treatment
- early ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy and gestational age
- pregnancy options counseling to help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of all of the options available to you
- parenting classes
- free disposable diapers for women in need through their Diaper Assistance Program
The more you know about all of the options available to you as you embark on this journey, the more likely you are to make the best option for you and your family. Whether you are considering your options, need information, or are seeking healthcare, we can help. Schedule your free consultation appointment today online or by calling Willow Womens Center at 608-312-2025. Our compassionate team is here to listen and help.
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