7 FAQs on induced abortion or medical termination of pregnancy answered

Here is all that you need to know about induced abortion or medically terminated pregnancy.

There are a lot of questions one have regarding medical termination of pregnancy or induced abortion, but don t know where to look for answers. Especially, with the stigma attached to this procedure it s difficult for couples to get requisite help when in need. In India, abortion is legible up to twenty weeks of gestation. Here, Dr Sadhana Singhal, senior consultant of obstetrics and gynaecology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute answers frequently asked questions on abortion.

1. What is an abortion? How should a woman decide between a surgical or medical abortion?

Abortion refers to deliberate medical termination of pregnancy which can be done in two ways medical or surgical. Here are six facts about getting pregnant after an abortion you need to know.

Medical abortion: A woman who is less than seven weeks pregnant can undergo a medical abortion. This process involves of terminating pregnancy with help of pills and medications. It is a non-surgical method which must be done under supervision of a physician. In this type of termination, a woman has to take one pill of mifepristone initially which softens the walls of the uterus, induces slight contractions and dilates the cervix (opening present at the mouth of the uterus). This aids in the expulsion of the embryo. After around two days another pill of prostaglandin needs to be consumed to help in expulsion of the embryo and induce bleeding. This happens about 24 hours after the pill is taken.

It is essential to return to the doctor after the bleeding has stopped to check for complete evacuation of the embryo. This is important because if the fetus is not completely removed it can cause severe complications like septicaemia. Know what is an incomplete abortion?

Side effects: However, prostaglandin pill may cause side effects like excessive bleeding, nausea, headaches and abdominal cramps. If a woman notices that her bleeding is very heavy and she soaks more than two sanitary pads in two hours, has severe cramps, vomiting or a high fever she must visit her doctor immediately.

Precautions: While undergoing a medical abortion one must not take NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), blood thinners like aspirin and refrain from alcohol consumption.

Surgical abortion: If a woman wishes to undergo an abortion beyond seven weeks of gestation a surgical abortion is advised. It is a medical procedure conducted under general anesthesia to clean the uterine cavity with special instruments. In medical terminology, it is termed as suction evacuation which is then followed by curettage (sealing off the cut blood vessels inside the uterus to reduce bleeding). Then the area of the surgery is cleaned and the woman is moved to post operative area. Here are five facts about miscarriage or spontaneous abortion you need to know.

Side effects: When instruments and suction are placed in the vagina there is a small risk of cervical injury and uterine perforation. There could also be a chance of getting an infection after the procedure which can be treated with the right antibiotics. However, one can also suffer from bleeding, nausea and headache post surgical abortion. Such symptoms need to be taken seriously and reported to the doctor immediately.

2. Does abortion involve long hospitalisation?

Abortion is a day-care procedure. The patient can get admitted to the hospital in the morning and leave in the evening. Practically, one week of proper rest is enough for the patient. However, as per Government rules, a woman undergoing abortion can avail a leave of 6 weeks.

3. Does abortion affects ones fertility?

Multiple abortions might affect one s fertility if there is scarring at the top of the cervix or inside the uterus wall. Moreover, dilation of the cervix that is common during surgical abortion can make the wall of the uterus weak, difficult for an embryo to implant. Scarring of the cervix or uterus can be taken care of by medical interventions, however, if a woman is suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease, receives permanent damage to uterus which can cause Asherman's syndrome or gets tubal blockage as a result of abortion it could interfere with her chances of getting pregnant in the future. But such occurrence is very rare like one in 50 cases. Here are eight tests to check why you are not getting pregnant.

4. What are the possible complications of abortion?

If the surgery is done from a good hospital, wherein the infection control mechanism is very efficient, no complications arise after an abortion. However, if the doctor is not competent enough or if the hospital is not good, the patient might develop several complications like infection, septicemia, uterine perforation, bowel injuries etc.

5. Will abortion affect one's menstrual cycle?

Although rare, at times post abortion, the patient might face hormonal imbalance due to which menstrual cycles could get affected. This usually resolves on its own. It is important that a woman visit her gynaecologist at the earliest in case she notices anything wrong like a persistent change in her menstrual cycle, burning or paining sensation in her vagina, heaviness in her abdomen or develops fever after the surgery. These are all signs that something is not right and should be investigated at the earliest, so that the complications can be curtailed with minimum damage to the woman. Know when you should visit your gynaecologist in case of menstrual irregularities.

6. What should one do post-abortion?

During stay in the hospital, the patient is kept under observation where her vital parameters like her heart rate, oxygen levels etc. are continuously monitored. At home too, the patient needs to follow a light diet and take small walks. Most importantly she should restrain from carrying heavy objects.

7. When should one not opt for an abortion?

In India, abortion is a legalized procedure and one can undergo an abortion within twenty week of gestation. With a doctor s advice, anybody can go for an abortion. Women with uncontrolled conditions like hypertension, diabetes, congenital heart defects etc. will need to get these diseases under control before the surgery is performed.

In the end, abortion is a woman s right to choose. There is no shame in getting it done if the woman feels that she is not emotionally or financially able to handle the responsibility of a child. If you are planning to terminate a pregnancy it is important that you visit a good doctor and get the surgery done in a good hospital. Do not try to medicate yourself or try anything that people tell you to terminate the pregnancy. This is not only risky for your future chances of having children; it can also endanger your life.

Image source: Getty Images

Disclaimer: This article pertains to the process of abortion in India only.

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