Health Questions and Answers: Will multiple abortions affect my ability to get pregnant in the future?

Health Question:
Will multiple abortions affect my ability to get pregnant in the future?

Question:
I am 28 years old and considering abortion. I have, however, already had two. I am not ready for parenthood, nor is my partner. We know our options are either abortion or adoption. Of course he is more of an advocate for abortion, but is not being pushy and is allowing me to make the final choice. My biggest concern is my ability to carry a pregnancy to term in 4 to 5 years when it is a planned event rather than the "surprise" we are experiencing now. I have uncovered conflicting information and would appreciate some evidence of the physical ramifications of multiple abortions. Do I risk a higher incidence of scar tissue and/or difficulty carrying a child to term in the future? If so, what is the probability? I'm heavily leaning toward abortion but scared to death of any physical consequences of multiple abortions. Please help. Thank you.

Response:
Actually, the possibility of fertility problems is the about the same as if you had never had any abortions -- abortion does not affect fertility. Because you have gotten pregnant in the past indicates you are fertile and you can most likely get pregnant again. Statistically, women become less fertile as they get older, but statistics cannot predict fertility in any one individual.

You can learn about when your body is fertile to help you become pregnant when it's the "right" time for you.

Statistically, past abortions have very little impact on future child-bearing ability. Again, statistics cannot predict any one individual's situation.

Post-abortion complications are rare - they occur in fewer than 1% of abortions. Only some abortion complications lead to inability to become pregnant, due to scar tissue, if the uterus or cervix was perferorated or became infected post-abortion.

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