This is an informative article that outlines some of the complications that can result from an abortion.

Physical

Women face a number of possible physical complications as a result of legal abortion including hemorrhage requiring transfusion, perforation of the uterus, cardiac arrest, endotoxic shock, major unintended surgery, infection resulting in hospitalization, convulsions, undiagnosed ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, cervical laceration, uterine rupture, and death. (Warren Hern, Abortion Practice, 1990, p. 175-193.)

Seventeen percent of women participating in a study on the effects of abortion reported they have “experienced physical complications (e.g., abnormal bleeding or pelvic infection) since their abortion.” Based on reported abortion statistics, this represents 200,000 women annually experiencing physical complications after an abortion. (Brenda Major, Archives of General Psychology, 2000)

Abortion can adversely affect later pregnancies. A recent literature review concluded that abortion is a risk factor for placenta previa (where the placenta implants over the cervix, causing hemorrhaging) and preterm delivery with subsequent pregnancies. (John Thorp, Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, 2003).

Research has found women having abortions are more likely to have a low birth-weight baby in a later pregnancy. (Weijin Zhou, International Journal of Epidemiology, 2000 and Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1999.)

Abortion can increase your chance of having an ectopic (or tubal) pregnancy in the future. (Anna Kalandidi, British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1991 and Ann A. Levin, American Journal of Public Health, 1982)

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found having multiple abortions increases a woman’s chance of having a miscarriage in a later pregnancy. (Ann A. Levin, Journal of the American Medical Association, 1980, subscription required)

All women, especially young teenagers, are at risk for damage to their cervix during an abortion, which can lead to complications with later pregnancies. (Kenneth Schultz, The Lancet, 1983)

Abortion puts a woman at increased risk for complications in later pregnancies. Medical research states, “Complications such as bleeding in the first and third trimesters, abnormal presentations and premature rupture of the membranes, abruptio placentae, fetal distress, low birth weight, short gestation, and major malformations occurred more often among women with a history of two or more induced abortions.” (Shari Linn, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1983)

Abortion can increase your risk for breast cancer. A review analyzing 23 studies on breast cancer and abortion identified 17 of those studies indicate an increased risk of breast cancer among women having an abortion. (Joel Brind, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 1996). For more information on this topic, go to www.abortionbreastcancer.com and www.bcpinstitute.org

Existing evidence of an abortion-breast cancer connection prompted the New England Journal of Medicine to publish a February 2000 review of breast cancer research, which lists abortion as a risk factor. (Katrina Armstrong, “Assessing the Risk of Breast Cancer,” New England Journal of Medicine, Vol 342, No.8, 2000, subscription required).

Go to focusonthefamily.com for the full article.