Is an abortion dangerous for me

A safe abortion is less likely to cause harm than having a baby.

Abortion is very safe when it is done:

• by a trained and experienced health worker.
• with the proper instruments.
• under clean conditions. Anything that goes into the vagina and womb must be sterile (without any germs).
• up to 3 months (12 weeks) after the last monthly bleeding.

Abortion is unsafe when it is done:

• by someone who has not been trained to do it.
• with the wrong instruments or medicines.
• under unclean conditions.
• after 3 months (12 weeks) of pregnancy, unless it is done in a health center or hospital that has special equipment.

Around the world, 46 million abortions are done every year. Women survive most of them, even if they are not legal. But unsafe abortions can cause death, or complications like infection, lasting pain, and infertility. Out of 100,000 women getting a safe abortion, only 1 will die. But out of 100,000 women having unsafe abortions, between 100 and 1000 will die.

Sources

• Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
• Audiopedia ID: en020204