Abortion usually does not cause fertility problems. However, in some cases it can be linked to various pregnancy complications such as low birth weight and preterm labor. During a medical abortion , the pregnant woman takes medications during early pregnancy to get rid of the fetus.  In a surgical abortion, the baby is removed from the uterus usually with  a vacuum device, a syringe or a spoon–shaped instrument with a sharp edge (curet) through a surgical procedure.
 

What are some of the side effects of an abortion ?

Some people may experience these side effects 2 weeks after the procedure. These include the following :

• spotting or bleeding
• abdominal pain and cramping
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea

Although these are not common, some people may experience the following complications

• heavy bleeding
• damage to cervix
• perforation of the uterus
• infection or sepsis
• damage to other organs
• scarring of the uterine wall
• death

What is the effect of an abortion on future pregnancies ?

This procedure usually does not cause any fertility or pregnancy problems. A surgical abortion can cause damage to the cervix or uterus, in which case surgery will be required to fix the damage before a woman can conceive.

It can also rarely lead to a weakened cervix. This can cause premature opening of the cevix, a condition known as incompetent cervix. This usually affects women who have had multiple abortions.

If you have any concerns, contact your health care provider about the possible effect of an abortion on subsequent pregnancies.