If you’re puzzled by the term “incomplete abortion”, don’t worry. It can be confusing.
The term incomplete abortion describes abortions that successfully terminate the pregnancy, but fail to remove all the fetal and pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
Common signs include heavy bleeding or cramping. This is a serious health concern because it can cause infection.
Read this article for more information about the signs of incomplete abortion.
How Will I Know if I Have an Incomplete Abortion?
One of the most obvious signs is heavy bleeding. But how heavy is too heavy?
The best way to gauge is if you bleed enough to soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours.
The heavy bleeding is caused by your uterus still trying to expel the pregnancy tissues from your uterus.
Other symptoms of incomplete abortion, according to MedlinePlus, could include:
- Low back pain or abdominal pain that is dull, sharp, or cramping
- Tissue or clot-like material that passes from the vagina
If this is your condition, you should seek immediate medical care.
How Likely is an Incomplete Abortion?
There is no absolute percentage for the likelihood of an incomplete abortion, so it’s difficult to predict what your chances of an incomplete abortion actually are.
However, according to one study of 24,000 adult participants in Finland who underwent a medical abortion, 10.2% experienced an incomplete abortion.
If your doctor suspects an incomplete abortion, you will likely need an ultrasound and may require surgical intervention.
What Are My Other Options?
If you have had an abortion and believe you have symptoms of an incomplete abortion, you should seek immediate medical attention.
If you have not yet gotten an abortion, a great first step is to gather more information about your pregnancy.
At Abria Pregnancy Resources, we offer no-cost ultrasounds which can tell you the age and status of your pregnancy.
The gestational age can affect your candidacy for a medication abortion, and you’ll require a different procedure if you’ve miscarried as well.
We also offer no-cost options consultations, which are available at the same time you come in for an ultrasound. In a neutral, pressure-free environment, you can learn about the pregnancy process and learn about local resources.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
Abria offers support at no cost to you regarding your decisions but does not refer for or perform abortions.