Can You Get Pregnant Again After an Abortion?

December 24, 2024

Abortion is a serious procedure that can affect your future fertility. If you’re wondering whether you’ll be able to get pregnant again after an abortion, the answer can vary depending on your specific situation.

While most women can get pregnant again after an abortion, some women experience complications that affect their future fertility.

This article will highlight the essentials you need to know about abortion and future fertility. However, if you’re looking for a safe space to talk and learn more, contact First Choice Pregnancy Services today to schedule a free, confidential appointment.

Understanding How Abortion Works

There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical.

Medical abortion involves taking two powerful drugs. The first one, mifepristone, blocks progesterone in your body. Without this essential hormone, your uterine lining will thin, and your pregnancy will eventually detach and end. The second drug, misoprostol, causes uterine contractions that will expel your pregnancy out through your vagina.

Surgical abortion involves going to a clinic and having your cervix dilated so that medical instruments can enter your uterus to terminate and remove your pregnancy through suctioning and scraping tools.

While many women will go on to have future pregnancies after an abortion, it’s critical to know that sometimes, a complication occurs after an abortion that makes future pregnancies impossible.

Potential Complications

The main abortion complication that can affect future fertility is infection.

During a medical abortion, infection can happen if parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in the uterus. This is known as an incomplete abortion. Signs that you may be having an incomplete abortion and developing an infection include:

• Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row
• Bad pain in the stomach area or pelvis
• Chills or body aches
• Fast heart rate
• Fever that lasts more than four hours or that starts in the days after you take misoprostol
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

During a surgical abortion, bacteria can be introduced into the uterus, which can lead to an infection. Additionally, an infection can happen if one of the surgical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus. This can also lead to scarring on the uterine wall that leads to future miscarriages and infertility.

Emotional Well-Being

Having an abortion affects every woman differently. Some women feel immediately relieved, while others will regret their decision days, weeks, or even years later.

For some women, abortion regret doesn’t develop until they start thinking about having a family later on. When these women start planning to get pregnant, they begin thinking about what might have been with the pregnancy they terminated.

While only you can make the pregnancy decision that’s right for you, it’s critical to think through how you might react emotionally to ensure you don’t make a choice that will lead to regret.

We’re Here to Support You

We understand what you’re going through, but you’re not alone in this. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

Whether you’re looking for a safe space to talk or a pre-abortion screening to determine if you’re eligible for abortion—we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today to learn about all the ways we’re to support you.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.