Knowing what to look for after an abortion procedure can help you avoid complications and protect your long-term health. As with any medical procedure, abortion carries risks—one of the most important to be aware of is infection.
We’ll explain the warning signs of infection below. If you’re still deciding on a pregnancy option, contact Heartbeats Women’s Center for free and confidential services.
Understanding the Signs of Infection
Symptoms like chills or fever may come to mind when you think of infection. Both medical abortion and surgical abortion can involve complications such as infection.
Recognizing these warning signs can help you seek timely treatment.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy. While these drugs always cause abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding, risk of infection is still possible.
Potential signs of infection can include:
- Heavy bleeding (soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row)
- Bad stomach or pelvic pain
- Chills or body aches
- Fast heart rate
- Fever lasting more than 4 hours or starting after you take misoprostol
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion uses drugs, surgical tools, and/or suctioning. Mild cramping and spotting or light bleeding can occur after the procedure.
Potential signs of infection include:
- Bleeding that’s heavy enough that you need to change pads every hour
- Lasting dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fever
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
Free Services
Heartbeats Women’s Center provides free and confidential services for women with unexpected pregnancies. Whether you need services, just want to talk, or are still considering your options, we’re here to walk with you without judgment.
Your health and well-being matter deeply. If you need someone to talk to, medically accurate answers, or just a safe place to process what you’re going through, our caring team is ready to support you.
Make a free and confidential appointment today. You don’t have to go through this alone.
*Heartbeats Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
*All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
