Physical complications of abortion

Not all women who have had an abortion will suffer from symptoms - and those who do may not suffer all of them nor to the same degree. The physical and psychological complications which may occur cannot be predicted in any one person – they can happen to anyone – and there is not way of judging beforehand who will be burdened.

In practically every case documented by post-abortion counsellors, the woman was not given all the facts. Many times, abortion is explained as a clinically safe surgical procedure. But this so-called ‘safe procedure’ can leave you with permanent physical complications as well as potentially chronic psychological problems.

Quote from Melbourne obstetrician and gynaecologist: "A review of the medical literature identifies approximately 10% of women, perfectly healthy prior to abortion, as having long term serious physical and psychological problems following abortion."

Surgical injury may lead to haemorrhage, infection and weakness of the uterus which could complicate future pregnancies. The commonest injury is uterine perforation. Reported figures are 0.8-6.4 for every 1000 abortion procedures but they are probably higher as many perforations are unrecognised.

Incomplete removal of the placental tissue from the uterus may result in continuing haemorrhage and a later repeat curettage.

Infection may be introduced at the time of operation and exacerbated if some of the placental tissue has not been completely removed. Infection is treated with antibiotics but often permanent damage occurs resulting in pelvic pain, recurrent infections, uterine bleeding and sterility.

Infertility often has multiple and difficult causes, which are difficult to pinpoint, but tubal damage even of a minor degree is a common cause. Tubal damage can be caused by infection due to abortion, inter-uterine device or as a result of a sexually transmitted disease. In many cases abortion appears to be the cause, and the resulting sterility which is often permanent produces distress and guilt.

There is clear evidence that late miscarriage and premature birth due to cervical incompetence is often associated with a previous induced abortion. This problem is usually recurrent in each subsequent pregnancy. At least 50% of patients with cervical incompetence have had a previous induced abortion. This problem results in very premature birth, the baby often not surviving or requiring many weeks in the intensive care nursery.

About 10% of surviving babies are left with a permanent disability. Complications may also arise in labour if there has been injury to the uterus caused by perforation, cervical tear or scar tissue resulting from the insertion of a cervical suture. The uterus may rupture during labour resulting in severe haemorrhage and occasionally death.