What Are the Risks of Terminating a First Pregnancy?

Abortion procedures—whether surgical or medical—inevitably cause some degree of uterine trauma. When performed according to standard protocols and followed by adequate postoperative rest and timely follow-up examinations confirming no complications, the impact on the uterus is generally minimal. However, in rare cases, a woman’s first pregnancy termination may impair future fertility, most commonly due to surgical complications. Both surgical and medical abortions carry inherent risks. Common complications include incomplete abortion, which may lead to vaginal bleeding—or even severe hemorrhage—as well as post-abortion menstrual disorders (e.g., menorrhagia), and secondary infertility.

Inadequate postoperative recovery may result in secondary infection, potentially compromising fallopian tube patency and thereby affecting future conception. It is important to recognize that every abortion carries risks; however, the likelihood of complications increases with the number of abortions undergone. If you are not yet prepared for pregnancy, reliable contraception is essential to avoid the physical and uterine harm associated with abortion. Should you plan another pregnancy, preconception evaluation is strongly recommended—beginning with assessment of uterine health—to determine whether conditions are optimal for conception.