Is Abortion Safe?

All Medical and Surgical Procedures Carry Risks

No women have died from legal abortions in New Zealand (since 1983), although abortion deaths have been reported internationally.

As with all operations, complications can occur. In New Zealand, some women have been treated for life-threatening abortion complications.

About 5% (1 in 20) of women having an abortion will need some follow-up medical care or need to be re-admitted to hospital for treatment. Of that 5% the most common reasons for follow-up care are:

• The abortion has not been properly completed (2-3% of cases) which requires the procedure to be repeated;
• Infection inside the uterus. This is usually easily treated with antibiotics (2%, or 1 in 50). It is important to carefully observe follow-up instructions; and/or
• Blood clots staying in the uterus. This requires another suctioning, similar to the original abortion operation (1%).

Very rarely, there could be:

• A hole or tear in the uterus which usually heals itself;
• A hole or tear in the cervix which can be repaired with stitches at the time of the abortion;
• Excessive bleeding due to failure of the uterus to contract. This may require a blood transfusion which is avoided unless the bleeding is life threatening;
• Failure to get pregnant again — this occurs following 1% of all pregnancies, whether there is a miscarriage, abortion, or a live or stillbirth;
• Very rarely, amenorrhoea (absence of periods), may follow abortion; and/or
• An increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth in future pregnancies following abortion. This is thought to be more likely following 2 or more abortions, or if the abortion is carried out after 13 weeks of pregnancy.

 

ENDNOTES:

Adapted from the Ministry of Health's booklet, Considering an abortion? What are your options?

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