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| Surgical Abortion Risks | Surgical abortion is one of the most widespread surgical procedures nowadays. It has been estimated that the rate of complications is less than 2% and most complications are insignificant and easily cured. In comparison of pregnancy and childbirth, abortion is much safer. On the other hand, like any surgical process there are risks you should know about.
 Infection in the uterus happens in 1-2% of abortion procedures.
Retained tissue – unfortunately some pregnancy tissue is left in the uterus. This happens in 0.5-1% of all abortions. At times the uterus is able to drive out the tissue and rarely a second vacuum aspiration is needed.
Continued pregnancy or failed abortion. This is exceptional and more likely if the uterus has an abnormal shape or if the pregnancy is not in the uterus. You may have to make additional visit or be referred to another physician. With a normal pregnancy in a normal uterus, there is about a 1 in 1,000 chance of this occurring.
Post-abortion hematometra. This is a condition where blood creates more quickly than it can come out resulting in an enlarged and painful uterus. It is unpleasant but is not hazardous, and is cured by repeating the suction procedure. This condition appears nearly 1 in very 1,000 procedures.
Hemorrhage or excessive bleeding. Appears about 1 in every 1,000 procedures. It is sometimes provoked by failure of the uterus to contract or by retained tissue. If serious bleeding cannot be regulated in the clinic, transport to hospital would be required.
Damage to the uterus or other internal organs happens less than 1 in 1,000 procedures. Transport to a hospital and surgery to repair the injury may be required. Taking away of the uterus is necessary in about 1 in 10,000 procedures.
Allergic reaction to any of the medicines given to you, or to latex or other materials in the clinic. Most reactions can be cured in the clinic. A very harsh reaction would require transfer to a hospital.
The risk of death related to surgical abortion is about 1 in 1,000,000. Most deaths are related to general anaesthesia or other medical circumstances.
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