As with any medical procedure, there is always a possibility that things may not go as planned. Your health and well-being are extremely important, and if an abortion does not work, it is crucial to seek medical care. There are two possible outcomes when an abortion is unsuccessful:
- You are still pregnant.
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Your pregnancy has ended, but you have an incomplete abortion.
Signs You May Still Be Pregnant
Pregnancy symptoms should subside within a few days after an abortion. If you continue to experience the following symptoms, you may still be pregnant:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Increased urination
- Constipation
What Should I Do?
Pregnancy hormones can remain in the body for up to six weeks after an abortion, making home pregnancy tests unreliable during this period. If you suspect your abortion didn’t work, contact your doctor for an exam and additional testing. An ultrasound can help determine:
- If the pregnancy is viable (has a heartbeat).
- If there is remaining tissue in the uterus from the pregnancy.
What Is an Incomplete Abortion?
An incomplete abortion occurs when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after taking the abortion pill/procedure. In these cases, a follow-up procedure may be necessary to remove the remaining tissue. Seeking medical care for an incomplete abortion is essential to prevent complications such as prolonged bleeding and infection.
Causes of an Incomplete Abortion
Medical Abortion (Medication Abortion/Abortion Pill) An incomplete medical abortion may occur if:
- The medication does not effectively cause the uterus to expel the pregnancy.
- The medication is not taken as prescribed.
- The abortion pill is used beyond the recommended gestation limit (typically 11 weeks).
- The pregnancy involves abnormal tissue, such as a molar pregnancy.
- The wrong pills are taken, which is a risk when ordering online from unregulated sources.
Surgical Abortion An incomplete surgical abortion may result from:
- Physician error, including improper technique or inadequate cervical dilation.
- Instrument failure.
- Advanced gestational age.
- Abnormal uterine shape, which can make complete removal of pregnancy tissue difficult.
- Abnormal pregnancy.
Signs and Symptoms of an Incomplete Abortion
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Passing large clots or tissue
- Persistent pregnancy symptoms
- Signs of infection (fever, chills, foul-smelling discharge)
When to Seek Medical Care
Protecting your health and safety is essential. If you experience symptoms of an incomplete abortion, contact your doctor immediately. If you are unable to reach a healthcare provider, go to the nearest emergency room. If left untreated, an infection following an incomplete abortion could lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
Learn More
If you have not yet had an abortion, consider scheduling a limited ultrasound at Jewel Women’s Center at no cost. An ultrasound can verify the gestational age and viability of your pregnancy and screen for complications such as ectopic pregnancy. Our nurse can explain abortion procedures and answer any questions you may have. The medical team at Jewel Women’s Center is committed to providing the information you need to make an informed decision. Contact Jewel today for a free pregnancy consultation.