- Perforated uterus (a hole in the uterus) - very rarely.
- Blood clots in the uterus - very rarely.
- Injury to the bowel or bladder - very rarely.
- A cut or torn cervix (cervical laceration) - very rarely.
- Infection - very rarely - medication for the infection, or in rare
cases, repeated vacuum aspiration might be needed.
- Fertility can be diminished in very rare instances as a consequence of infection.
- Incomplete abortion - very rarely - pregnancy tissue left inside the
uterus, repeated vacuum aspiration may be necessary.
- Anesthesia-related complications - very rarely.
- Heavy bleeding - very rarely - a hemorrhage develops; medication,
repeated vacuum aspiration, surgery or blood transfusion might be needed.
- Very rarely - emergency treatment for any of the above problems, including
the possible need to treat with an operation, medicines, or a blood
transfusion.
- Very rarely - death.
Dilation & Evacuation (D & E): a surgical abortion procedure used to terminate a pregnancy after 16 weeks gestation