The word abortion is taken from the Latin word aboriri which means to miscarry. Abortion is a common procedure done by an obstetrician. Worldwide around 73 million women undergo abortion every year. Six out of 10 abortions are from unwanted pregnancy. Three out of 10 pregnancies end up in abortions.
According to the latest MTP act in 2021, abortion can be done by a medical professional up to 24 weeks of gestation. Abortion is the termination of pregnancy which can be spontaneous or medically induced. (1). In this article we will discuss in detail the different methods of abortion, how safe abortion is, and do’s and don’ts about abortion.
Is Abortion Safe?
Medicines can do abortions and also inside the operation theater takes less time to perform. Both the process of abortions are safe and there are very few complications of the procedure. Only abortion should be done under proper guidance by a registered medical practitioner to avoid any serious complications. (2)
When Can You Abort Pregnancy?
According to the MTP Act in the 1900s, the legal gestation of abortion was 20 weeks. But now according to the new act, the legal gestation of abortion is increased to 24 weeks of gestation due to an increase in illegal ways of abortion.
Abortions can be done legally up to 24 weeks of gestation not only in India but also in Western countries. But if abortion is done in early gestation then most of the complications can be avoided. Some forms are to be filled by the hospital authorities which are then submitted to the government for proper identification. There are some legal criteria by MTP act the for abortion due to:
- Failure of contraception
- Pregnancy harms the life of the mother
- Abnormality of the fetus
- Pregnancy happened due to some assault
- Financial issues
[Read: Incomplete Abortion – Causes, Symptoms & Risks]
How To Abort Pregnancy Naturally?
In different cultures throughout history, people used some specific plants and herbs which can induce abortion. Those herbs include salvia, rue, calendula, wormwood, licorice root, and some specific mint roots. Some advice on specific exercises that can induce abortion.
Medical or surgical intervention of abortion under the guidance of a health care worker is necessary since these natural abortifacients can cause side effects and also can lead to incomplete abortion or allergic reactions.
How Can You Abort Pregnancy Without Surgical Intervention?
Medical methods can do the abortion in early gestation. According to some American obstetric societies, it is recommended that medical termination of pregnancy in an outpatient department in less than 49 days of pregnancy. Nowadays some specific medication is used regularly for medical termination of pregnancy. Medicines were given sublingually or per vaginally.
There is bleeding per vagina and lower abdominal cramping pain, fever, chills, and diarrhea can cause. The complications of this procedure include severe bleeding, severe pain abdomen, infection, and retained products of conception(3). The patient is asked to come back after 14 days of taking the medicines to perform an ultrasound to rule out retained products of conception.
It is important to note that it is best to visit your healthcare provider for pregnancy portions and natural ways may not be safe for the pregnant women.
[Read: How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After An Abortion?]
What is The Saline Water Method?
In the late 1900s, the saline water method of abortion was popular and was done at that period, but due to major health risks related to it, this method is not done now. It is done between 16 to 24 weeks of gestation. In this method saline solution is introduced inside the uterus to induce labor. The risks which led to discontinuing these methods include electrolyte imbalance, water intoxication, seizures, and even death. (4)
How Can You Abort With Surgical Intervention?
Surgical intervention of abortion is done generally by two procedures, they are dilation and evacuation and vacuum aspiration. Both procedures are done either by mild sedation in the clinic or can be done in the operation theater under anesthesia. (5)
1. D And E Procedure
The dilatation and evacuation procedure can be done either in a clinic or under anesthesia. This procedure is done by a transcervical approach by first dilating the cervix and then evacuating the fetal parts. With the complete removal of the fetus, a large bore vacuum curette is used to remove the products of conception. (6)
It can be done in the late trimester of the pregnancy i,e, 12 to 24 weeks of gestation where there are chances of retained products of conception with the medical method of abortion. This is generally a safe procedure that can be done in less time but still, this procedure has some complications.
Complications which is more in the second trimester include perforation of the uterus which can lead to open or laparoscopy to repair the perforation of the uterus, infection, bleeding, uterine adhesions, peritoneal infection, coagulation disorder of the blood in the body can be a rare complication. (7)
2. MVA Procedure
The manual vacuum aspiration procedure of abortion is another in-clinic procedure. This method of abortion is performed generally between 10 to 12 weeks of gestation. MVA is a specialized instrument that has two parts, a syringe and a cannula. Here some medical agents which help in cervical softening like tab misoprostol are used intravaginally for 2 to 4 hours.
Some paracervical block that is to decrease pain during the procedure is used. This procedure is done with the hand-operated 60ml syringe and cannula. A vacuum is created in the syringe and then attached to the cannula, this is then introduced transcervically into the uterus. Complications include infection, bleeding, sometimes perforations, and uterine adhesions.
How Long After Abortion Do Symptoms Of Pregnancy Go Away?
Generally after abortion, there can be minimum bleeding or pain or some brownish discharge per vaginum. Sometimes there is nausea, breast soreness, or discharge present. Most of the symptoms resolve approximately by 2 weeks after abortion. If the symptoms persist after 2 weeks of abortion then the patient should undergo a thorough investigation to determine any abnormalities.
Do’s And Don’ts After Abortion
After the abortion, the women can undergo all sorts of activities, nothing is contraindicated after abortion. After the abortion, all the hormonal levels are interrupted, so if immediate pregnancy is not desired. If the couple wishes for pregnancy at least 3 to 6 months gap is given to try for the next pregnancy. If pregnancy is not desired then proper contraception should be used according to the advice of the obstetrician.
Also one should go through the list of Do’s and Don’ts after a abortion –
- Do take pain relief before you take the second set of tablets.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Consider using sanitary pads and not tampons after a medical abortion.
- Take a Pregnancy test after 3 weeks of your medical abortion.
- Wear comfortable soft clothes.
- You must be going through a lot of emotional turmoil, it would be great if you could have someone to give you the mental support. Do ask for help if needed.
- Don’t do any heavy work for the next days after the abortion.
- Don’t drive.
- Don’t have sex unless you are comfortable doing that.
- Don’t drink alcohol.
- Don’t use soap or any chemical agents to clean the vagina.
Though abortion is a safe and not time-consuming procedure still it can lead to complications if not done properly and under proper guidance. After an unwanted pregnancy, a woman or the couple should seek consultation with the health care providers or obstetrician for proper, safe, and legal methods of abortion.
Read Also: 7 Helpful Tips When Trying For A Pregnancy After An Abortion
FAQ’s
1. Does Abortion Affects Future Pregnancy?
Abortion generally doesn’t affect future pregnancies. However multiple abortions can lead to hormonal disorders which in turn can lead to complications in the future pregnancies. In rare occasions after surgical intervention, women can have uterine adhesions which can lead to infertility or menstrual abnormalities.
2. How Many Days Bleed After Abortion?
Abortion is generally a safe procedure which doesn’t take much time to perform. After the abortion women might have some bleeding for a few days which can stop within 2 weeks post abortion. If the heavy bleeding persists then the patient should visit the doctor for further investigations.
3. What To Do If I Get Pregnant And Don’t Want It?
You can plan for abortion by visiting your nearest healthcare provider.
References
- News Analysis – Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Amendment Act, 2021 – https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-news-analysis/medical-termination-of-pregnancy-mtp-amendment-act-2021#
- Nathalie Kapp, Patti Whyte, Jennifer Tang, Emily Jackson, Dalia Brahmi, A review of evidence for safe abortion care, Contraception, Volume 88, Issue 3, 2013, Pages 350-363, ISSN 0010-7824 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010782412009572#
- Judith A. Soon, Dustin Costescu, Edith Guilbert, Medications Used in Evidence-Based Regimens for Medical Abortion: An Overview, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, Volume 38, Issue 7, 2016, Pages 636-645 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1701216316391046#
- GOODLIN, ROBERT C. MD, FACOG; McLENNAN, CHARLES E. MD, FACOG; CHOYCE, JANICE M. RN; LEE, RICHARD S. MD; STICKLER, JAMES E. MD – From the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University School of Medicine and Hospital, Stanford, Calif, and the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, Palo Alto, Calif.
- Obstetrics & Gynecology 34(1):p 1-6, July 1969 –https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/abstract/1969/07000/therapeutic_abortion_with_hypertonic_intraamniotic.1.aspx#
- Nancy B. Kaltreider, Sadja Goldsmith, Alan J. Margolis, The impact of mid trimester abortion techniques on patients and staff, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Volume 135, Issue 2, 1979,
Pages 235-238 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/000293787990351X# - Grossman, D., Blanchard, K., & Blumenthal, P. (2008). Complications after Second Trimester Surgical and Medical Abortion. Reproductive Health Matters, 16(sup31), 173–182 – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1016/S0968-8080%2808%2931379-2#
- K. Mahomed, J. Healy, S. Tandon; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; International Projects Assistance Services (IPAS), P.O. Box 100, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA – https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1016/0020-7292(94)90305-0#
