What Are the Signs of an Incomplete Abortion?

An incomplete abortion is at the top of the Mayo Clinic’s list of complications from medical abortion. What is it? An abortion is incomplete when some pregnancy tissue remains inside the uterus after a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) or an elective medical abortion. Signs include vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping.

If you have recently had an abortion, whether spontaneous or elective and are bleeding, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. An incomplete abortion can become extremely serious if not taken care of quickly.

The Elective Abortion Process

When you choose (or elect) to have an abortion, you have either a medical or surgical abortion procedure based on how far along you are in your pregnancy. A medical abortion uses drugs like the abortion pill to terminate a pregnancy.

The FDA has approved using the abortion pill for pregnancies up to 70 days (or 10 weeks) only. After 70 days, it may be necessary to have a surgical procedure. Either type of abortion can result in an incomplete abortion.

Symptoms of an Incomplete Abortion

The National Library of Medicine lists the signs of an incomplete abortion. If you are experiencing any of the following, please consult your healthcare provider immediately:

• Moderate or severe vaginal bleeding, which may become heavier. 
• Lower abdominal pain and cramping.
• Passing tissue or blood clots.
• Pain that radiates to your lower back.
• Fever and infection

Who Is at Risk of an Incomplete Abortion?

There is no way to tell who will have an incomplete abortion. There are certain risk factors that you should be aware of.

A Spontaneous Abortion (miscarriage)

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage.

Most miscarriages occur because of the following reasons:

• Fetal chromosomal abnormalities
• A woman’s age
• Being overweight 
• Cigarette smoking
• Large amounts of caffeine, alcohol, and drugs
• Trauma
• Malnutrition

Elective Abortion

You risk an incomplete abortion with either a medical or surgical abortion. An incomplete abortion can occur for some of the following reasons:

• The pregnancy was too far along for a medical abortion. The further along the fetus, the more complications develop.
• Ectopic pregnancy (where the fetus implants outside of the uterus)
• No direct physician oversight during a medication abortion since you complete the procedure on your own.
• The abortion provider administering a surgical abortion doesn’t thoroughly check to see if all the contents of the uterus have been removed.

Complications of an Incomplete Abortion

The following are possible complications with abortion:

• Severe bleeding or sepsis (serious infection)
• Uterine rupture
• Uterine perforation
• Organ failure
• Infertility
• Psychological effects
• Death

When to Get Help

If you have recently had an abortion and are experiencing physical or emotional health issues, please see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Are you contemplating having an abortion because of an unplanned pregnancy? A New Generation offers free abortion consultations and a pre-abortion screening. Receive free pregnancy testing, a limited ultrasound, and discuss your options with a nurse. 
At A New Generation, we promise you are seen and heard because we value you. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.