Is an At-Home Abortion Safe?

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You may be wondering whether you can have an abortion at home. When women have a medication abortion, this is typically carried out at home during the first ten weeks of pregnancy. Surgical abortions must be carried out by a provider at a doctor’s office or medical clinic.

At-home abortions do carry certain risks. You may experience the following symptoms following the medication abortion:

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• Fever or chills
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Nausea and/ or Vomiting

Incomplete Abortion

One of the major risks associated with an at-home abortion is experiencing an incomplete abortion. In this situation, the pregnancy tissue has not been emptied completely from the uterus. There may be signs that you are having an incomplete abortion, including:

• Fever and/or chills
• Serious infection known as sepsis
• Shock from infection
• Hemorrhaging from prolonged bleeding
• Low Blood Pressure

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is imperative that you seek medical treatment immediately. This condition must be treated in order to prevent further medical complications.

Who Is at Risk?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is an increased risk of an incomplete abortion to those who have:

• Never previously given birth
• Advanced maternal age (older than 35)
• Had a delivery, miscarriage, or abortion during the second trimester of pregnancy (weeks 13 to 26)
• Past c-section
• History of retained placenta in a previous pregnancy

These are only some of the risk factors; there are others that increase your chances of having an incomplete abortion. It is important to get all of the facts before making the decision to get an abortion. Speaking with a trusted licensed medical professional will help you to understand and make a more informed decision.

I Have Questions?

If you believe you are experiencing signs of an incomplete abortion or complications following an at-home abortion, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention.

At Soundview Pregnancy Services, our affiliated medical professionals would be happy to speak with you about the possible risks associated with an at-home abortion. Our caring and compassionate team is here to answer all of your questions. Contact us to schedule a confidential, no-cost appointment. We are here for you!