What Are the Warning Signs of Infection After Abortion?

What Are the Warning Signs of Infection After Abortion?

What Are the Warning Signs of Infection After Abortion?

Ensuring you have access to prompt and comprehensive follow-up medical care is essential to protect your health following any major medical procedure. Follow-up care ensures there are no warning signs of complications, like infection. 

This sort of care and attention is also important following an abortion, either through the abortion pill (medication abortion) or surgical abortion. To prioritize your health and safety, it is wise to know the symptoms of potential infection, as this could be helpful to inform your medical provider as soon as possible. 

Possible Signs of Infection

There are several signs and symptoms to look for that may indicate a need for emergency medical intervention following an abortion, as quoted by the Mayo Clinic. This may include:

  • Heavy bleeding (soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours)
  • Severe abdominal or back pain
  • Fever lasting more than 24 hours
  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge 

Incomplete Abortion Risk

Following either medication or surgical abortion, a potential complication risk is an incomplete abortion. This occurs when part of the fetus or tissue remains in the uterus following the procedure, which can lead to infection. 

Your body could be warning you of infection if you experience moderate to heavy vaginal bleeding, sometimes accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis. 

It is essential to remember that in order to protect your health and safety, following up with your medical provider to ensure you are healing properly is very important. An in-person examination with a medical provider can also screen for signs of infection. 

Get the Answers You Need

If you’ve had an abortion – either by taking the abortion pill medication or through a surgical abortion – and are experiencing symptoms like the ones we discussed above, contact a medical provider immediately. 

Our professional medical staff would be honored to answer your questions if you are still navigating your pregnancy decision and learning about your options. You can find key details about your unique medical and pregnancy needs through pregnancy testing, an ultrasound, and options consultation, all at no cost. 

You are not alone on this journey. Reach out today to schedule your free appointment. We’re here to help.