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mevasan
One of the most controversial issues that still persists across the world in all cultures and not to mention politics today. Though abortion has been legalized in some nations, this decision is still being questioned by competing groups and these competing groups have either wanted more liberties and access with the procedures or have fought to resist the procedures. In fact this topic is reason for some of the most heated debates amongst religious organizations, judges, political activists and state legislatures. Read on to find out more about what is abortion and what are the side effects of abortion.
Induced abortion is of two types, therapeutic as well as elective. The abortion is termed as therapeutic when it is performed to save the mother’s life, terminate a pregnancy when it might result in congenital disorder, to reduce the number of fetuses in order to decrease the health risks for a mother. It is elective, when the abortion is performed on the request of the women for various reasons.
Abortions in the past have been prevalent especially in impoverished and poor people. Other than these techniques a number of botanical preparations were also used to abort pregnancy. However these techniques were often not always safe and some of the popular techniques used to induce abortions in pregnant women, even made use of poisonous herbs. Tansy, root of worm fern, Italian catnip, savin, parsley, lavender, marjoram and even thyme have known to be used in concoctions that were prepared to induce abortion. It was only during the 19th century when there were advancements in the field of medicine that safer techniques were introduced. However this was not without resistance from the masses as abortion was looked upon as a crime. But during the latter half of the 19th century the social perception about abortion began to change and it was looked at as a last resort for unwed women and in other situations. However over the years while some countries have legalized abortion, others are still have divided views on induced abortion.
At times women also react to anesthesia; develop a uterine pelvic infection, uterine perforation and more. Though it is normal for bleeding to occur after abortion, in some cases if the uterus has been punctured or the cervix is torn, then there are chances of a hemorrhage which can have severe consequences. Some other side effects of abortion are scarring of the uterus, which could lead to pelvic infection and in extreme cases this infection could develop into a whole body infection known as sepsis. Sepsis is known to have claimed the lives of most women. In extreme cases side effects of abortion can also affect other internal organs such as the bladder and the bowel.
Apart from these side effects of abortion, there are long term as well as emotional side effects to abortion. Long term side effects include, risk of developing breast cancer. Women are often haunted by guilt, depression as well as anger after an abortion. Women also tend to develop eating disorders or indulge in substance abuse. With so many side effects to abortion, dealing with an abortion is not at all an easy task.
What is Abortion?
Abortion is defined as the termination of a pregnancy by removal of the fetus from a woman’s uterus which can either occur naturally or it could be induced through medical procedures. The spontaneously and naturally occurring abortion is termed as miscarriage. Natural and spontaneously occurring abortion arises due to complications that occur during pregnancy. Induced abortions should only be performed in safe environments and under medical supervision only as abortions performed unsafely are responsible for a number of disabilities and deaths around the world.Therapeutic Abortion
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Types of Abortion
As mentioned above, spontaneous abortion is a natural process of expulsion of the fetus or embryo and this occurs due to complications in pregnancy, stress or both intentional and accidental trauma. One of the other common reasons for abortion in the first trimester is due to chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, infection, hormonal problems, diabetes as well as abnormalities in the uterus of the mother. At times, previous history of abortion or advanced maternal age is also a reason for abortion. This condition could occur before 22 weeks and any incident occurring after 22 weeks and if the fetus dies during delivery or in the uterus after 22 weeks the condition is known as still birth.Induced abortion is of two types, therapeutic as well as elective. The abortion is termed as therapeutic when it is performed to save the mother’s life, terminate a pregnancy when it might result in congenital disorder, to reduce the number of fetuses in order to decrease the health risks for a mother. It is elective, when the abortion is performed on the request of the women for various reasons.
History of Induced Abortion
The history of abortion can be traced back to as early as ancient times. The earliest records of what is abortion and records of induced abortions have been traced back to early 1550 BC in Egypt. There have been recorded proof of royal concubines resorting to abortion was back in 515 BC. In the ancient times, primitive methods were made use of to induce abortion and there were non-surgical. While some cultures used physical activities such as climbing, strenuous labor or even weightlifting to induce pregnancy, the others made use of irritant leaves, lying on a heated coconut shell, fasting and even using mercury to induce abortions. There are Sanskrit texts dating back to the 8th century which talks about what is abortion and how to induce it, Japanese documents that dates back to early 12th century also shows records of induced abortion.Abortions in the past have been prevalent especially in impoverished and poor people. Other than these techniques a number of botanical preparations were also used to abort pregnancy. However these techniques were often not always safe and some of the popular techniques used to induce abortions in pregnant women, even made use of poisonous herbs. Tansy, root of worm fern, Italian catnip, savin, parsley, lavender, marjoram and even thyme have known to be used in concoctions that were prepared to induce abortion. It was only during the 19th century when there were advancements in the field of medicine that safer techniques were introduced. However this was not without resistance from the masses as abortion was looked upon as a crime. But during the latter half of the 19th century the social perception about abortion began to change and it was looked at as a last resort for unwed women and in other situations. However over the years while some countries have legalized abortion, others are still have divided views on induced abortion.
Contemporary Methods of Abortion
Medical Abortions
Today a pregnancy can be aborted in different ways, but this is largely dependent on the region, laws and the preference of the doctor or the patient. Abortions can be medical or surgical depending on the period and other factors. Pharmaceutical drugs are used in case of medical abortions, but this method works only when the drug is consumed within 49 days of gestation.Surgical Methods of Abortion
The surgical methods of abortion are opted for only when the medical abortion methods are unsuccessful. Vacuum abortion is the most common surgical method that is opted for within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The fetus, membranes and placenta are removed using an electric or a manual vacuum and it does not involve dilation of the cervix. This is often used in early pregnancy.Dilation and Curettage
Dilation and curettage is the second most common procedure that is used to induce abortion. This process involves cervical dilation and then emptying the cervix using surgical instrumentals. This is procedure is performed between the 15th and the 26th week of pregnancy. Curettage is nothing but using the curette to clean the uterine walls. This procedure is recommended only when manual vacuum abortion is not an option.Intact Dilation and Extraction
Some of the other techniques employed to induce abortion after the 16th week of pregnancy is by intrauterine cranial decompression also known as intact dilation and extraction. This process requires the decompressing the fetus’s head surgically before the evacuation process.Hysterotomy Abortion
Hysterotomy abortion is also another surgical abortion method and this procedure is very much similar to a C section.An illustration of the dilation and curettage medical procedure
Source: Wikimedia Commons
A diagram of a vacuum aspiration abortion procedure at 8 weeks gestation.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Side Effects of Abortion
When performed legally under certified medical supervision abortion is usually safe in most cases. Side effects of abortion are most common in unsafe cases. Bleeding, dizziness, headaches, cramping, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fever and chills are some of the side effects associated with medical abortion. In rare cases women can also develop an infection, which might lead to infertility and at times this can also lead to death. All surgical abortion methods run a risk of serious complications. Some of the side effects of abortion are cramping, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Nausea and vomiting is also some of the side effects of abortion.At times women also react to anesthesia; develop a uterine pelvic infection, uterine perforation and more. Though it is normal for bleeding to occur after abortion, in some cases if the uterus has been punctured or the cervix is torn, then there are chances of a hemorrhage which can have severe consequences. Some other side effects of abortion are scarring of the uterus, which could lead to pelvic infection and in extreme cases this infection could develop into a whole body infection known as sepsis. Sepsis is known to have claimed the lives of most women. In extreme cases side effects of abortion can also affect other internal organs such as the bladder and the bowel.
Apart from these side effects of abortion, there are long term as well as emotional side effects to abortion. Long term side effects include, risk of developing breast cancer. Women are often haunted by guilt, depression as well as anger after an abortion. Women also tend to develop eating disorders or indulge in substance abuse. With so many side effects to abortion, dealing with an abortion is not at all an easy task.
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