With any medical procedure there are risks attached. The physical and psychological complications which may occur cannot be predicted in any one person.

• Infections
• Miscarriages
• Incompetent cervix / ruptured uterus
• Sterility
• Stillbirths
• Ectopic pregnancies
• Shock
• Various degrees of haemorrhage:
  Moderate/Heavy Loss
  Excessive/Life Threatening
• Coma
• Perforated uterus
• Peritonitis
• Fever/Cold sweats
• Intense pain
• Passing blood clots (incomplete abortion)
• Menstrual disturbances
• Loss of other organs
• Gastro-intestinal disturbances
• Vomiting

Immediate Risks of Abortion
Induced abortion carries a risk of several side effects. These risks include abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In most abortions, no serious physical complications occur. However, the risk of complications is about 1 out of every 100 early abortions and in about 1 out of every 50 later abortions. Such complications may include:

Heavy Bleeding - Some bleeding after abortion is normal. However, there is a risk of hemorrhage, especially if the uterine artery is torn. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be required.
Infection - There is a risk that bacteria may get into the uterus from an incomplete abortion resulting in infection. A serious infection may lead to persistent fever over several days and extended hospitalization.

Incomplete Abortion - There is a risk that some fetal parts may not be removed by the abortion. Bleeding and infection may occur. RU486 may fail in up to 1 out of every 20 cases.

Allergic Reaction to Drugs - There is a risk of an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used during abortion surgery. These risks include convulsions, heart attack and, in extreme cases, death.

Tearing of the Cervix - There is a risk that the cervix may be cut or torn by abortion instruments.
Scarring of the Uterine Lining - There is a risk that suction tubing, curettes, and other abortion instruments may cause permanent scarring of the uterine lining.

Perforation of the Uterus - There is a risk that the uterus may be punctured or torn by abortion instruments. The risk of this complication increases with the length of the pregnancy. If this occurs, major surgery, including a hysterectomy, may be required.

Damage to Internal Organs - When the uterus is punctured or torn, there is also a risk that damage will occur to nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder.

Death - In extreme cases, there is a risk of other physical complications from abortion including excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage from a perforated uterus. Reactions to anesthesia may lead to death, although this is rare.

What Are Some of the Other Risks of Abortion?
Abortion may increase the risk of Breast Cancer. A study in Britain by an independent group of statisticians, the Populations and Pensions Research Institution (PAPRI) researched breast cancer and abortion rates in Britain, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic. The study suggested that up to 50% of breast cancer cases in England and Wales over the next 26 years will be “attributable to abortion”. Patrick Carroll, researcher and author of the study, “Abortion and other pregnancy-related risk factors in female breast cancer” said the total number of breast cancer cases - 35,991 in 1997 - is expected to more than double by 2023

Here are other important facts:

Carrying a pregnancy to full term gives protection against breast cancer that does not occur if the pregnancy is aborted.

Abortion causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels that may make breast cells more susceptible to cancer.

Most studies conducted so far show a significant link between abortion and breast cancer.

Abortion May Affect Risk Levels in Future Pregnancies
Scarring or other injury during an abortion may prevent or place at risk future wanted pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first pregnancy.

Spiritual Consequences
People have different understandings of God. Whatever your present beliefs may be, there is a spiritual side to abortion that deserves to be considered. Having an abortion may affect more than just your body and your mind. It may have an impact on your spiritual life. These are important issues to consider.