Chances of Experiencing Pregnancy After an Abortion

There can be many reasons for having an abortion. But one can choose to get pregnant whenever they want after an abortion. It can happen even before one gets their first period. It depends on various factors like the duration of your pregnancy, type of abortion, and other medical conditions.

How easy is it to become pregnant post abortion?

Your menstrual cycle restarts by itself after an abortion. After the post-abortion bleeding ends, ovulation starts in a few weeks. If you plan correctly, there are high chances of your getting pregnant. Doctors usually tell women to wait for at least 3 months before getting pregnant again. This is because the body needs time to heal from the physical changes and trauma it goes through during an abortion. Many doctors also recommend not having an intercourse for a couple of weeks after the abortion.  Sometimes, it may take a few weeks for a person to emotionally and financially recover from the stress of an abortion. The effects of an abortion on the next pregnancy also depend on the type of abortion one went through.

What are the risks of future pregnancy after a medical abortion?

In medical abortion, a combination of pills that include Mifepristone and Misoprostol are used to abort the pregnancy. Mifepristone cuts off progesterone to the fetus to stop its development and tear the uterine linings. After 24 to 48 hours, Misoprostol is administered, and it induces severe contractions to expel the embryo and the uterine walls. This procedure is usually done in women who are less than 8 weeks pregnant. Presently, there is no evidence to show that medical abortion increases the risks of complications and difficulty in the next pregnancy. In some rare cases, there may be complications when the abortion is not fully complete and the woman doesn't get up for a follow-up checkup to get it treated.

What are the risks of future pregnancy after a surgical abortion?

In a surgical abortion, the fetus is removed from the body using suction and an instrument called a curet. During a surgical abortion, there is a chance of scarring the uterine wall, which leads to asherman syndrome. Having this syndrome can pose a difficulty to get pregnant. It may also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths. It mostly happens in women who have had multiple surgical abortions. You must give your body some time to heal after a surgical abortion. Even though ovulation happens right after, the uterus must have enough time to heal and strengthen before the next pregnancy.

Can abortion lead to infertility and other risks?

Abortion definitely takes a toll on the body. But if it is done in a hygienic environment by trained professionals, it will not be a cause of infertility. The chances of infertility increases when the abortion procedure is done hastily, causing injuries to the reproductive system. Infertility can also happen if the procedure is done in an unhygienic place under an unskilled professional, which will lead to you getting various infections.

An incomplete abortion where the pregnancy has ended but remnants of a fetus remain in the body can lead to an increased risk of future complications, infections, and scarring. Infections like Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases can occur after the abortion. If it is not treated on time, it will increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy in the future.

In cases of women who had multiple abortions, the cervix of their bodies gets weakened due to the dilation in multiple abortions. This will also lead to further risks but it can be treated by stitching the cervix.

Getting pregnant post-abortion is not very complicated except in some rare cases as stated above. Wait for a while for your body to heal and you can plan for your next pregnancy. The chances of experiencing pregnancy be expected by maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutrient-rich diet, exercise, no smoking, and overall physical and mental well-being.