What Are the Potential Complications After an Abortion?

Generally, proper care after abortion will not have adverse effects on the body. However, due to physical conditions, improper abortion procedures, or improper post-abortion care, some complications may occur after abortion, such as incomplete abortion, cervical injury, uterine perforation, bacterial infection, etc.

If the surgery is not performed completely and a small amount of fetal tissue remains in the uterus, it may affect uterine contraction and cause persistent bleeding or adhesion, infection, and other conditions. It is recommended to perform another surgery carefully to remove the residual tissue. Abnormal uterine position or shape is generally more likely to cause this complication.

During the process of dilating the cervical canal, if not careful or if the dilation speed is too fast, it may cause cervical injury and increase the risk of miscarriage in future pregnancies, especially for women who are pregnant for the first time or have not yet given birth.

The risk of uterine perforation increases with the number of weeks of pregnancy and the number of abortions. Other factors such as abnormal uterine position, shape, or previous uterine surgery may also increase the risk of perforation.

If the surgical instruments are not properly sterilized or if the surgeon does not adhere to aseptic procedures, it may lead to intrauterine infection, which can further spread to the fallopian tubes and pelvic cavity, potentially causing ectopic pregnancy or infertility in the future.