Abortion Risks.
Informed consent is the foundation of ethical medicine.
It is important to fully understand a medical procedure’s risks before you consent to having it performed. 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 2017–2023, 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
Infection (4)
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 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
Hemorrhage (may require a blood transfusion) (8)
Cervical damage from forceful dilation
Preterm births, miscarriages, or inability to carry a pregnancy in the future
Uterine perforation
Infection
Retained fetal body parts (fetal tissue, 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 (All Abortion Procedures)
Abortion can severely impact emotional health hours after the procedure or months to years later. Risks vary depending on the stage of pregnancy, connection to the pregnancy, and religious or cultural beliefs. Emotional risks include:
Sadness
Grief, which may include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, low self-esteem, or reliving abortion through dreams or 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, you can find stories at AfterAbortion.org
If you are struggling with a past abortion, reach out to someone you trust or contact the Abortion Recovery Centre in Alberta.
Celopharma Inc. (2019). Mifegymiso [Drug information]. Health Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00050659.PDFHealth Canada. (2016, October 21). Mifegymiso product monograph: Mifepristone/misoprostol [Product monograph]. https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00036826.PDFHall, J. B., & Anderson, R. T. (2025, April 28). The abortion pill harms women. Ethics & Public Policy Center. https://eppc.org/stop-harming-women/Sajadi-Ernazarova, K. R., & Martinez, C. L. (2021). Abortion complications. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430793/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-xStevenson, M. M., & Radcliffe, K. W. (1995). Preventing pelvic infection after abortion. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 6(5), 305–312. https://doi.org/10.1177/095646249500600501Alberta Health Services. (n.d.). Pregnancy: Overview. MyHealth.Alberta.ca. https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=tw2562Fergusson, 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/10.1177/0004867413484597Bridwell, 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.2022.8.57929Goodwin, 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/10.1080/14768320600682384Mota, 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.