An incomplete abortion does not mean that your procedure was entirely unsuccessful. It also does not mean you had a natural miscarriage.
However, it does mean that not all of the fetal tissue was successfully removed from your uterus. This is critical to have removed because it can cause serious health complications like infection.
If you are considering an abortion or believe you may be suffering from an incomplete abortion, read this article for more information.
What Are the Symptoms of an Incomplete Abortion?
Possible symptoms of incomplete abortion, according to MedlinePlus, could include:
- Fever greater than 100.4 for more than 4 hours
- Severe pain or tenderness in the area below the waist
- Chills
- Fainting
- Tissue or clot-like material that passes from the vagina
For most women, the most obvious symptom is moderate to severe vaginal bleeding. This occurs as the body continues to try and expel any remaining pregnancy remnants. It’s recommended that you seek immediate help if you bleed enough to soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours.
How Likely is an Incomplete Abortion?
According to one study, medical abortions <12 weeks “have a 3.4% increased risk of unfavorable outcomes, including maternal death, major surgery, or sterility.”
In Finland, of 24,006 adult participants who underwent a medical abortion, 10.2% experienced an incomplete abortion.
There is limited data to say precisely how likely an incomplete abortion is, however, there is a certain risk to consider despite advanced abortion methods.
Next Steps
If you are considering an abortion, the best next step is to schedule an ultrasound to confirm your eligibility for the procedure. At Hope First, we offer no-cost and confidential ultrasounds and other pregnancy-related services.
We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have along the way. Contact us today!