What Are the Signs of an Incomplete Abortion?

Like many medical procedures, abortion can cause complications, some life-threatening. One complication women should know about is incomplete abortion, which can become dangerous if left untreated.

We’ll walk you through the signs of an incomplete abortion and possible treatment options. Remember, before choosing abortion, make sure you’re informed about the potential risks.

Symptoms You Should Know

Incomplete abortion occurs when some of the pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after an abortion or miscarriage. Left untreated, it can lead to severe hemorrhaging or sepsis, which can be fatal.

Symptoms of an incomplete abortion include:

Moderate to severe vaginal bleeding
Lower abdominal or pelvic pain

If you’ve had an abortion or miscarriage and feel something might be amiss, don’t wait to see a doctor. Visit your nearest emergency room so that you can be seen promptly.

What Are My Treatment Options?

Treatment for an incomplete abortion depends on the individual woman and her case. The medical provider may use oxytocin and misoprostol to help the uterus contract and manage bleeding. You may only receive follow-up care and monitoring.

Other times, the provider will use forceps to remove the pregnancy tissue, or a surgical procedure called dilation and curettage may be used in more severe cases. You will need careful monitoring and aftercare to ensure nothing is left in her uterus.

You will likely have a good prognosis with proper treatment, and your fertility will not be affected.

I’m Pregnant and Haven’t Decided What to Do.

If you have an unintended pregnancy, we’re here for you. Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center offers no-cost, lab-quality pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and options information. Our advocates and team are here to help you learn more about your options and receive the facts you need.