Abortion Risks.

Abortion carries potential physical and emotional risks that vary depending on the type of abortion.

Medication Abortion (Abortion Pill): Physical Risks

• Severe cramping and uterine contractions

• Infection

• Trauma to the uterus

• Retained fetal body parts, placenta, umbilical cord, or amniotic sac[1]

• Severe or prolonged bleeding due to incomplete abortion or inadequate uterine contractions

• Uterine spasms

• Anemia due to blood loss

• Hemorrhage

• Sepsis and septic shock[2]

A recent U.S. study found that about 1 in 10 women who use the abortion pill experience a serious complication. This study, covering 865,727 medication abortions from 2017 to 2023, showed nearly 11% had a significant adverse reaction within 45 days. Around 5% visited the emergency room, and almost 3% required a surgical procedure after the medication abortion did not fully work.[3]

Dilation and Curettage (D&C) Abortion: Physical Risks[4]

• Infection

• Retained fetal body parts, placenta, umbilical cord, or amniotic sac

• Severe or prolonged bleeding

• Severe cramping and uterine contractions

• Uterine spasms

• Cervical or uterine damage, including lacerations

• Scarring of the uterus (may cause painful periods or infertility)

• Uterine perforation

• Pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to infertility

• Injury to surrounding organs (bowel, bladder, rectum)

• Hemorrhage

• Sepsis and septic shock

• Placenta previa in future pregnancies[5]

• Increased risk of future miscarriages or premature births[6]

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) Abortion: Physical Risks

• Infection

• Retained fetal body parts, placenta, umbilical cord, or amniotic sac

• Severe or prolonged bleeding

• Severe cramping and uterine contractions

• Uterine spasms

• Cervical or uterine damage, including lacerations or tearing

• Scarring of the uterus

• Uterine perforation

• Pelvic inflammatory disease[7]

• Sepsis and septic shock

• Injury to the surrounding organs

• Increased risk of excessive bleeding and hemorrhage

• Risk of uterine rupture

• Cervical damage due to extensive dilation

• Increased risk of future pregnancy complications

• Higher overall risk of complications compared to first-trimester abortion

• Increasing risk of maternal death with advancing gestational age

Induction Abortion: Physical Risks [8]

• Hemorrhage that may require a blood transfusion.

• Cervical damage from forceful dilation

• Preterm births, miscarriages, or inability to carry a pregnancy in the future

• Uterine perforation

• Infection

• Retained fetal body parts, placenta, umbilical cord, or amniotic sac

• Severe uterine contractions

• Significant emotional distress and trauma compared to other procedures[9]

• Higher overall risk of complications compared to first- and second-trimester abortions

• Increased risk of maternal death compared to first- and second-trimester abortions

Emotional Risks

Abortion can severely impact emotional health, hours after the procedure or months/years later. Risks vary depending on the stage of pregnancy, connection to the pregnancy, and religious/cultural beliefs. Emotional risks include:

• Sadness

• Grief, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, low self-esteem, or reliving abortion through dreams/flashbacks[10]

• Guilt

• Depression[11]

• Emotional numbness

• Flashbacks and nightmares

• Alcohol and drug abuse

• Suicidal thoughts or self-harm

If you experience post-abortion stress, recognizing the symptoms is the first step toward healing. Personal stories may help reduce isolation: Abortion Recovery Canada and AfterAbortion.org.

If struggling with a past abortion, reach out to someone you trust or contact the Abortion Recovery Centre in Alberta.

[1]Celopharma Inc. (2019). Mifegymiso [Drug information]. Health Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2025, fromhttps://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00050659.PDF

[2]Health Canada. (2016, October 21). Mifegymiso product monograph: Mifepristone/misoprostol [Product monograph].https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00036826.PDF

[3]Hall, J. B., & Anderson, R. T. (2025, April 28). The abortion pill harms women. Ethics & Public Policy Center.https://eppc.org/stop-harming-women/

[4] Sajadi-Ernazarova, K. R., & Martinez, C. L. (2021). Abortion complications. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430793/

[5]Barrett, J. M., Boehm, F. H., & Killam, A. P. (1981). Induced abortion: A risk factor for placenta previa. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 141(7), 769–772.https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(81)90702-x

[6]Bridwell, R. E., Long, B., Montrief, T., & Gottlieb, M. (2022). Post-abortion complications: A narrative review for emergency clinicians. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 23(6).https://doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2022.8.57929

[7] Stevenson, M. M., & Radcliffe, K. W. (1995). Preventing pelvic infection after abortion. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 6(5), 305–312.https://doi.org/10.1177/095646249500600501

[8]Alberta Health Services. (n.d.). Pregnancy: Overview. MyHealth.Alberta.ca.https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=tw2562

[9]Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., & Boden, J. M. (2013). Does abortion reduce the mental health risks of unwanted or unintended pregnancy? A re‑appraisal of the evidence. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47(9), 819‑827.https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867413484597

[10] Goodwin, P., & Ogden, J. (2007). Women’s reflections upon their past abortions: An exploration of how and why emotional reactions change over time. Psychology & Health, 22(2), 231–248.https://doi.org/10.1080/14768320600682384

[11] Mota, N. P., Burnett, M., & Sareen, J. (2010). Associations between abortion, mental disorders, and suicidal behaviour in a nationally representative sample. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(4), 239–247.