What Are the Warning Signs of Infection After Abortion?

After an abortion, it can be difficult to know which changes are part of the process and which ones deserve a closer look. Abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding will occur with a medical abortion, while side effects like spotting and cramping can also occur for several days after a surgical abortion. But symptoms that become severe, persist, or change over time may point to an infection or another complication.

At Ascend Women’s Center, we are here to help women facing unexpected pregnancies. We offer no-cost pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds, and information about all your options so you can fully understand your pregnancy and next steps.

Get in touch to make your appointment today. If you’ve had an abortion and are experiencing any of the below symptoms of infection, seek emergency medical care promptly. 

Read on to learn more about the warning signs of infection after an abortion.

What Are the Expected Side Effects?

Some physical side effects are expected after an abortion. Depending on the type of abortion, you may experience nausea, diarrhea, headache, chills, or fatigue.

Bleeding and cramping should not automatically mean something is wrong. What matters is paying attention to how your symptoms develop. Pain that becomes severe or continues to worsen, bleeding that becomes unusually heavy, or new symptoms such as fever or foul-smelling discharge deserve medical attention.

If something about your recovery concerns you, contacting your healthcare provider is the best way to determine what is happening.

It is also important to note that there are possible risks and complications associated with an abortion procedure, which include an incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding that will not stop, infection, and allergic reactions. 

Symptoms That May Signal an Infection

An infection can cause symptoms that differ from expected side effects. Warning signs can include:

• Fever or chills
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Abdominal or pelvic pain that is severe or worsening
• Prolonged vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Unusual weakness or feeling generally unwell
• Tenderness in the lower abdomen or pelvis

For a medical abortion, a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that continues for more than four hours is a specific warning sign included in FDA patient information for mifepristone. The FDA also advises contacting a healthcare provider for very heavy bleeding, including soaking through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours.

These symptoms can also occur with other complications, which is why they should be evaluated rather than dismissed as a normal part of recovery.

If you experience extremely heavy bleeding, fainting, difficulty breathing, signs of shock, or another potentially life-threatening symptom, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Why Can an Infection Develop?

An infection can develop when bacteria enter the reproductive tract and reach the uterus after an abortion. Another possible factor is retained pregnancy tissue, which can remain in the uterus after an abortion and may contribute to infection.

Without treatment, an infection can become more serious and may progress to sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection that can affect the body’s organs. 

Schedule an Abortion Information Consultation

If you are considering an abortion, getting information about your pregnancy and what the process involves is important. 

Ascend Women’s Center offers no-cost abortion information consultations, which include medically accurate information about abortion, information about your other pregnancy options, and a no-cost, limited OB ultrasound.

Knowing how far along your pregnancy is, where the pregnancy is located, and whether the pregnancy is viable are all important details to know before considering your next steps. 

Schedule your confidential appointment at our center.

Ascend 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.