Benefits
The termination of a pregnancy before it has progressed too far has various benefits, depending upon the individual. Abortion allows a pregnancy to be postponed until a more suitable time for all concerned. Abortion usually allows a normal lifestyle to be resumed a short time after the procedure, without a disruption of circumstances for the months/years associated with continued pregnancy and child birth.

Risks
Abortion is a form of minor surgery which, like all surgery, has certain statistical risks. Like any surgical procedure, there are normal risks of complications occurring during or after the procedure. Complications may require additional treatment and possible surgery to diagnose and treat the complication. The common risks and possible complications are outlined below. Statistics show that these occur rarely. These statistics are estimates reflecting a nationwide average. At our offices, the percentages are somewhat less than those mentioned.

Bleeding
Sometimes, there will be more bleeding than expected. This may be an indication of some retained tissue, or blood clots in the uterus and may require a vacuum aspiration at the office. If excessive bleeding occurs some hours/days after the abortion, you may be instructed to come back to the office for a D & C to remove the retained material.

Infection
In 1-5% of cases, an infection caused by the presence of bacteria in the vagina or uterus will occur. Most infections will respond to antibiotics, but in a few instances, hospitalization may be necessary. The rate of infection is low, however patients will be provided with prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics to try to prevent possible infections. (This is not related to the vaginal infections which can be associated with the taking of antibiotics or oral contraceptives.)

Incomplete Abortion
In less than 1 case out of 500, the abortion procedure may fail to remove all the tissue of the pregnancy. This is why it is so important that a follow up examination be done 2-3 weeks after the procedure to check for this possibility, as well as assuring that all is back to normal. It is also important to get a pregnancy test at that visit to be sure that the pregnancy has been terminated. An ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, which is uncommon, cannot be terminated by a standard abortion procedure and would require additional surgery.

Laceration
In a small number of cases, the instrument used to hold the cervix may cause a small tear, which may require suturing at the time of the abortion.

Perforation
This occurs in less than 1 case out of 3000, or .03%. It is caused by an instrument making a small hole in the wall of the uterus. When this happens it is usually minor (like an injection in a muscle) and heals itself without further problems. A more serious perforation (which is even more rare) with hemorrhage or the potential thereof, could require hospitalization for the completion of the abortion, repair and/or observation of the perforation and other possible internal injuries such as trauma to the bowel or bladder or sufficient injury to the uterus that a hysterectomy is necessary.

Failure to Terminate a Pregnancy
In less than 1 case out of 100, the abortion fails to terminate the pregnancy. In such cases, a repeat abortion must be performed because the first procedure may have affected the normal development of the pregnancy. In as many as 1 in 500 cases, the pregnancy may be continuing due to multiple pregnancies, a double uterus or a pregnancy in the tubes (ectopic pregnancy). It is these possibilities that make a post-operative exam essential. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube until it is large enough to burst the tube. Although the chances of an ectopic pregnancy are rare, the risk of death from an ectopic pregnancy is great. All ectopic pregnancies must be surgically removed. An ectopic pregnancy is difficult to detect and the abortion procedure cannot terminate it. This is a pre-existing medical condition for which Abortion & Affiliated WHCS assumes no medical nor financial responsibility. If the doctor suspects that tissue of pregnancy (plecental tissue) has not been evacuated, you will be responsible for at least 2 blood tests to determine the increase or decrease of the pregnancy hormone (hCG) in your blood. These tests help in the diagnosis of tubal or retained pregnancy.

Death
The risk of death from an abortion procedure is small (much less than 1 in 100,000 cases), making it one of the safest operations in all of medicine. The risk of dying from a full term pregnancy is at least 7 times greater than that from an abortion.

Anesthesia Reactions
Local anesthesia (staying awake) or general anesthesia (going to sleep) for any procedure has associated risks. In a very small number of cases severe reactions, including convulsions, cardiac arrest, prolonged unconsciousness, shock or death may occur. Licensed facilities have specially trained anesthesia staff experienced in the use of the latest drugs and equipment in the event of an anesthesia complication. Although problems can occur, modern anesthesia properly delivered in a licensed facility or hospital has a long record of safety. We have provided general anesthesia in our facilities for many years with no anesthesia complications. Patients must not eat or drink for at least 9 hours prior to receiving anesthesia to significantly decrease the risk of anesthesia related complications.

Hysterectomy
Although it is extremely unlikely, a major complication requiring hospitalization might result in the removal of the uterus which should make a woman sterile.

Other Risks
Most abortions take place without any complications at all. About 1 in 200 patients may require continued observation or hospitalization. Complications associated with abortion are less likely to occur than those associated with labor and childbirth. In childbirth, some 20 our of 100,000 women do not survive. Abortion is 5 to 10 times safer.

Stenosis of the Internal Cervical Os
There is a possibility of a minor complication that we especially want to call to your attention. It does not occur frequently, but when it does occur, it must be treated properly. The complication we are referring to is called stenosis of the internal cervical os (adhesions of the inner opening of the cervical canal). You would not know about a Stenosis of the Internal Cervical Os until your first period is due. (The period is usually due four to six weeks after the abortion.) Instead of a menstrual flow, you would feel cramps in the lower abdomen. This is because tiny adhesions sometimes block the upper end of the cervical canal. A blockage prevents menstrual blood from coming out. This causes pain over the uterus and fallopian tubes. Correction of the problem is very simple. You return to the clinic and the doctor will dilate the upper end of the cervix slightly. It takes about two minutes to accomplish this, thereby correcting the problem. Remember, if this unusual complication occurs to you (pain, but no menstrual flow anytime after four weeks from the date of the abortion), you do not need pills or shots to bring on your period. You do not need antibiotics. You do not need a D&C. You do not need a laparoscopy. You do not need an operation. But you do need a simple dilation of the cervix which takes about two minutes and the treatment for this minor complication is over.