Although it is a rare occurrence, incomplete abortion is a possible complication following either a surgical abortion or medical abortion (sometimes known as the abortion pill). Before making your next medical steps, be sure you know what to look for and the risks of this complication.

What is Incomplete Abortion? 

Incomplete abortion is largely what it sounds like – after a woman undergoes an abortion procedure, incomplete abortion is a complication that occurs when a pregnancy is no longer viable (not progressing or growing), but there is still remaining tissue within the uterus. 

Any abortion method could potentially result in incomplete abortion, but it may be of greater concern for patients who order the abortion pill online without complete confidence in how far along they are in pregnancy. The use of the abortion pill to terminate early pregnancies is only approved by the FDA for pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestation – taking the abortion pill past this point in pregnancy could put you at greater risk for incomplete abortion. 

While dating from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) may provide a ballpark on how far along you are, the only way to know for sure is through measurements taken during an ultrasound exam, under the supervision of a medical professional. 

Common Symptoms of Incomplete Abortion

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists the following as possible symptoms of incomplete abortion:

  • Moderate to severe vaginal bleeding and passing of clots
  • Abdominal or pelvic pain that may spread to other locations
  • Fever (which may be a sign of infection that requires immediate intervention) 

While rare, cervical shock may also be a possible symptom of incomplete abortion. This presents through a low heart rate and low blood pressure and may be unresponsive to IV treatment. 

What if I had an Abortion and I’m having these Symptoms? 

If you took the abortion pill or had an abortion procedure and recognize some of these symptoms, it is very important to seek emergency medical care immediately. To protect your health, go to the nearest emergency department to seek a doctor’s care as soon as possible!

Treatments to resolve incomplete abortion may vary depending on the unique medical needs of each individual patient. NIH quotes that a single additional dose of misoprostol may be effective in producing the appropriate bodily response to remove the remaining tissue if the woman is still in her first trimester. However, it’s possible that surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases to remove tissue or the remnants of the fetus from the uterus. 

I’m Considering Abortion: What Do I Need to Know First? 

If you think you may be unexpectedly pregnant and are considering abortion, be sure you protect your health and safety by gathering all the medical facts about your situation first, before taking your next steps. 

At Oasis Medical, we can provide an ultrasound exam at no cost to you to answer your questions and provide vitally important information about your pregnancy needs. This could help you direct your next steps – and we’d also be happy to serve as a resource to you as you navigate through this difficult situation. 

Schedule your free appointment today to get specialized in-person medical care to prioritize your health.