--- title: What Are the Risks of Abortion? | Integra Pregnancy Services description: Read more about the risks of abortion in this post. Integra Pregnancy Services offers free pregnancy services in the Poughkeepsie, NY area. 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There are physical and emotional risks with [abortion](https://integrapregnancyservices.com/options/abortion/), and knowing what to expect is critical. Let’s take a closer look at abortion procedures, the side effects, and potential risks. ## Two Types of Abortion There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. A medical abortion is better known as the abortion pill method. It uses drugs, which are taken at home, to terminate a pregnancy. Abortion providers perform surgical abortions in a clinic or hospital. ## What Are the Potential Physical Risks? ### The Abortion Pill Method Mifepristone is the first drug in the abortion pill regimen. The [FDA](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation) highly regulates this drug, which is approved for use only through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Mifepristone ends the pregnancy, while the second drug, misoprostol, causes bleeding and contractions to remove it from your body. Expected [side effects](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687#:~:text=The%20medicines%20used,Headache.) include fever and chills, diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting, bleeding, and cramping. The following are some of the physical risks: - An incomplete abortion (the pregnancy ends, but not all pregnancy tissue comes out of your body) - Infection - An ongoing pregnancy if the drugs don’t work (the further along you are in your pregnancy, the less effective the drugs are) - Heavy and prolonged bleeding ### Surgical Abortion With first-trimester abortions, providers use something called suction or vacuum aspiration. As the pregnancy progresses, they may add a scraping tool called a curette or forceps to remove larger parts of the pregnancy. Depending on how far along the pregnancy is, the cervix, which leads to the uterus, may need to be dilated (opened). You may also require local or general anesthesia for pain. [Side effects](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910#:~:text=Typical%20side%20effects,or%20light%20bleeding) include bleeding and cramping. The [risks](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910#:~:text=Complications%20from%20dilation,C%20is%20rare.) might include the following: - Perforation of the uterus with a medical instrument (poking a hole through) - Scar tissue on the wall of the uterus - Infection ## What Are the Potential Emotional Risks? There is a lot of debate about the emotional risks of having an abortion. One [study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6207970/#:~:text=abortion%20is%20consistently%20associated,problems%20after%20an%20abortion) found the following: - Women who have had an abortion consistently have elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion. - The abortion experience directly contributes to mental health problems for at least *some* women. - There are risk factors, such as pre-existing mental illness, that identify women at greatest risk of mental health problems after an abortion. Talking with a healthcare provider about your physical and mental health before an abortion is critical. ## Get the Facts From Integra Pregnancy Services Although Integra Pregnancy Services doesn’t perform or refer for abortion, we can give you factual information on the procedures, side effects, and risks. Take a [free pregnancy test](https://integrapregnancyservices.com/services/pregnancy-tests/) to determine if you are pregnant. We can refer you for a limited [ultrasound](https://integrapregnancyservices.com/services/limited-ultrasound/) if your test is positive. The ultrasound will confirm whether your pregnancy is developing and how far along you are. You can schedule an appointment by filling out our online [contact form](https://integrapregnancyservices.com/contact-us/) or calling or texting (845) 471-9284. You’re asking the right questions, and we can give you the answers. Come to Integra Pregnancy Services for the help you need. *All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.* ![INTEGRAtransparentBLUE-1-1-e1747401667138](https://integrapregnancyservices.com/hs-fs/hubfs/INTEGRAtransparentBLUE-1-1-e1747401667138.png?width=150&height=150&name=INTEGRAtransparentBLUE-1-1-e1747401667138.png) **Get In Touch** - [Contact Us](https://integrapregnancyservices.com/contact) - [Donate](https://cnpchv.givingfuel.com/general-donations) **Visit Us** 226 Church St Poughkeepsie, NY [Get Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Integra+Pregnancy+Services/@41.7001739,-73.9248594,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89dd3e71ce3961dd:0x3f879ee9ad52d36f!8m2!3d41.7001739!4d-73.9248594!16s%2Fg%2F1tf82lps?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTEwNC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) **Hours** M-T: 9am-4pm W-Th: 10am-4pm **Here For You** We provide our services without discrimination to people of any age, race, income, nationality, religious affiliation, disability, or other arbitrary circumstances. 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