Does a past abortion affect my chances of getting pregnant?

Does a past abortion affect my chances of getting pregnant?
Does a past abortion (or more than one) affect my chances of getting pregnant?

Expert Answers
The BabyCenter Editorial Team

Probably not. However, in rare cases, multiple dilations and curettages (the cleaning out of the uterus, also known as a D&C) can cause some scarring
at the top of the cervix or inside the uterus. A procedure called hysteroscopy (when a small camera is placed through your cervix into your uterine cavity) can be used to check for this problem and can usually repair the scar tissue at the same time. But even if that's not the case for you, you should know that any procedure that dilates the cervix (a necessary step during most abortions) can weaken it.

So if you've had more than one abortion and you get pregnant again later on, you may find that you have what's known as an incompetent cervix — a cervix that starts dilating prematurely. This can sometimes be treated with a stitch to keep the cervix closed, called a cerclage. On the bright side, having conceived before proves that you ovulate and that your fallopian tubes are open.