Abortion Complication Rates Are 'Very Low', According To Study

A new study shows that major complications from abortions are extremely rare, occurring in less than a quarter of a percent of cases.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 55,000 women who received abortion care through California's Medicaid program. They found that most cases did not involve serious complications within six weeks of their procedure. Furthermore, just 126 cases required follow-up surgery, a blood transfusion or extra time in the hospital due to a health issue.

Previous studies with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have even suggested that giving birth is 14 times riskier than having an abortion.

However, many warnings are still attached to the procedure. Researchers noted that they hope the new information "will contribute to the national debate over abortion safety."

"Many state legislatures have recently passed laws that have the effect of reducing access to abortion by requiring providers to have transfer agreements or admitting privileges with hospitals or to construct their clinics so that they meet the requirements of an ambulatory surgical center," researchers said, in a news release. "But the researchers said that these restrictions were likely to make women travel further to get abortions or induce them on their own using unsafe methods, both of which may increase the risks for women."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

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