Medical abortion is a process in which medicine is used to terminate a pregnancy. It is possible to begin a medical abortion without surgery or anaesthesia, either at a doctor’s office or at home, and then have follow-up appointments with your doctor. During the first three months of pregnancy, it is both safer and more effective than any other time.
One of the most difficult decisions one may make is to have a medical abortion. Ensure that you are aware of all of the possible side effects, dangers, problems, and alternatives before deciding to go through with this operation.
Individuals’ motivations for seeking medical termination differ greatly. Medical abortion can be used to stop an undesirable pregnancy or end an early miscarriage. If you have a medical condition that makes it impossible for you to carry a pregnancy to term, you can also choose for a medical abortion.
Risks
Medical abortion has the following risks:
• A surgical procedure may be necessary if an incomplete abortion is performed.
• If the surgery doesn’t succeed, a continued unwanted pregnancy may occur.
• Prolonged and heavy bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• The digestive system is not functioning properly.
• Before initiating a medical abortion, you must be assured about your decision. Pregnancy issues are possible if you opt to keep the baby after taking drugs used in medical abortion.
Pregnant women who have had medical abortions have not been found to have an adverse effect on future pregnancies.
If you’re too far along in your pregnancy, medical abortion isn’t an option. More than nine weeks pregnant? Don’t even think about trying to have an abortion by medicine (after the start of your last period).
• After seven weeks of pregnancy, some medical abortions cannot be performed.
• Make sure you’re using an intrauterine device (IUD).
• It is possible to be pregnant outside of one’s reproductive organs (ectopic pregnancy).
• Suffer from a number of health issues. Certain bleeding problems; heart or blood vessel illness; severe liver, renal or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder are all examples of these conditions.
• Make sure you’re taking an anticoagulant and/or steroid medicine.
• Inability to see a doctor for follow-up appointments or lack of emergency treatment.
• Be allergic to the medicines used in the procedure.
• Women who are unable to obtain a medical abortion may be able to have a treatment known as a dilation and curettage (D&C).
Most Typical Side Effects
Following an abortion, the majority of women report the following symptoms:
For the most part, bleeding lasts 14 days, but can go on for 21 days or more.
• Cramping
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea/Vomiting
These symptoms usually go away after a week, although they might last up to a month.
Possible Medical Risks or Complications of Abortion
Infection
Abortion can result in bacterial infection, however this is a rare consequence. Vacuum aspiration abortion rates are fewer than 1%; however, subsequent abortion procedures may have rates that are significantly higher. To get into the uterus and fallopian tubes, bacteria can penetrate the cervix while it’s dilated. Abortion patients are frequently given antibiotics to “head off” illness. Any infection that occurs will be treated with antibiotics. Repeated suction or surgery may be required in some instances. Any signs of an infection should be reported immediately by the woman in order to decrease the severity of the infection and its implications. Pain, odorous vaginal discharge (and increased bleeding) are all possible signs of infection.
Incomplete abortion
It is possible that the uterus does not entirely empty of foetal tissue or other pregnancy products. Heavy or irregular bleeding and infection may be the outcome if this happens. Often, an incomplete abortion necessitates a D&C operation. Complication rates are claimed to be fewer than one percent.
Cervical injury
Cervix (uterus’s entrance) might be damaged during an abortion process. Both a superficial cut and a deeper tissue tear are possible. The cervix is less likely to be damaged by using progressive dilation procedures. After several abortions, a pregnant woman may have an incompetent cervix, which might cause her to deliver her child prematurely due to the weakening of her cervix. In fewer than 1% of all abortions, the cervix is injured, but it is seldom permanent.
Uterine perforation
The wall of the uterus can be penetrated by a medical device used during an abortion procedure. In certain cases, bleeding or damage to other organs may occur as a result of the perforation. An infection can enter the body through a perforation. An evaluation of the potential for harm must be carried out. It’s not uncommon for surgery to be necessary, but in most cases, surveillance of the lady is sufficient. The risk of perforation depends on the stage of the pregnancy and the abortion provider’s experience.
Heavy bleeding (hemorrhage)
All types of abortions result in some bleeding. However, it is uncommon to see significant bleeding. Before leaving the doctor’s office after having an abortion, a woman is given instructions on what to look out for and examined for any early indicators of difficulties. Repeated suctioning or medicines may be necessary to control severe bleeding. Is surgery or transfusion necessary very often?
Retained blood clots in the uterus
It is possible for the uterus to clot prior to the expulsion of blood. This causes excruciating uterine cramps. Only a small percentage of all abortions are affected by this complication. In most cases, the clots may be cleared with medicine or a second round of vacuum aspiration.
Allergic reactions and Anesthesia-related complications
Because of the human body’s reaction to pharmaceuticals, each surgical treatment that needs anaesthesia or medication has a slight risk. Allergy responses, shortness of breath and nausea and vomiting are all possible side effects of adverse medication reactions. These responses may be caused by medicine or anaesthesia, both local and general. Because lidocaine is the most widely used anaesthetic medicine, it’s critical that a woman tell her abortion provider if she has an allergy to “Novocain.” The use of anaesthetics given locally is far safer than the use of general anaesthesia (the kind that make a person sleep). Abortion procedures in the first trimester seldom require general anaesthesia. During the second trimester, they are often employed.
Other things to keep in mind:
• The Rh factor is a protein substance present on the surface of red blood cells that is used in Rh immune globulin treatment. Pregnant women with differing Rh factors from their foetus must be given medicine to avoid the formation of antibodies that might harm future pregnancies.
• Abortion has nothing to do with most cases of infertility. Even after an abortion, becoming pregnant might be difficult, especially if the procedure was hampered by difficulties.
Breast cancer
ACOG’s Committee Option Induced Abortion and Breast Cancer Risk concluded that “…prospective studies conclude that there is no association between [induced abortion] and breast cancer” and that “Early studies of the relationship between prior induced abortions and breast cancer risk were methodologically flawed.” Abortion is not linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, according to more thorough research.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) accepts the concept that the termination of pregnancy causes breast cancer. Refer to the website’s reference lists to learn more about this topic.
People also search
What complications can happen after an abortion?
Septic shock, perforation of the bladder or intestine, and ectopic pregnancy are all post-abortion consequences that can be fatal if not recognised quickly.
What is the most common life threatening complication to abortion?
Medical abortions before 14 weeks of pregnancy have a high rate of complications, including the necessity for a second treatment to remove the remaining components of the foetus, which occurs in roughly 70 of every 1,000 women.
One in every 1,000 women will experience major problems, such as excessive bleeding, womb damage, or sepsis.
What should we avoid after abortion?
Recuperation and Rest
Do not push yourself too hard the first week, no matter how good you feel.
Pregnancy might induce cramps and bleeding when you get back to work.
For up to two weeks, breast soreness and swelling may be present.
Reduce breast discharge by avoiding stimulation of the nipples.
