What Is Abortion?
The process used to end a pregnancy is called an abortion. A licensed healthcare practitioner performs it. There are two ways to do it- medical abortion, in which medications terminate the pregnancy. This is often referred to as an "abortion with pills" or a "medical abortion." Secondly, abortion by surgical procedure in which the pregnancy is removed from the uterus. This is also referred to as a "surgical abortion."
Why Is Abortion Done?
The reasons for getting an abortion are incredibly personal. A woman can choose a medical abortion to end an unplanned pregnancy or finish an early miscarriage. If a woman has a health issue that makes keeping the pregnancy alive life-threatening, she can also decide to get an abortion.
Is Abortion Legal?
For 49 years, abortion was permitted across the country, but on June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned this decision. As a result, each state is free to determine its abortion regulations. As a result, access to abortion will be outlawed or severely restricted in many jurisdictions. This implies that not everyone has access to abortion in the same way, and depending on where she lives, a woman may have trouble getting an abortion.
What Are the Different Types of Abortion Procedures?
The stage of the pregnancy and other patient characteristics influence the technique of abortion that is chosen. Generally speaking, the method of abortion becomes more challenging and complex the further the pregnancy is. Before performing an abortion, an ultrasound examination may be required to determine the pregnancy stage.
1. Early Medical Abortion Method (Early Pregnancy, up to Seven Weeks to Nine Weeks Gestation)- An abortion using drugs rather than surgery may be a possibility for a woman who is very early in her pregnancy. To obtain the medication, the woman must visit a doctor. She will need to see the doctor at least once more to ensure that the medication abortion was successful. If not, she may need to have a surgical abortion. A woman must take her medication exactly as directed by her doctor if she decides to have an abortion via medication.
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Having a medical abortion entails taking medicines to end the pregnancy. Most people take Mifepristone first, then another medication called Misoprostol. However, Misoprostol may be the only medication taken in some cases.
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These drugs force the uterus to self-empty, stopping the pregnancy and preventing it from progressing. The FDA (The United States Food and Drug Administration) has allowed using abortion drugs to stop pregnancies up to 10 weeks.
2. Suction Curettage or Aspiration (Early Pregnancy Six Weeks to 14 Weeks Gestation)- A liquid soap is used to wash the vagina. An injection is used to numb the cervix. The cervix is then dilated (opened by stretching). The uterus is inserted with a tube connected to a suction device. The uterus is then suctioned empty. The uterine wall is then scraped using a device called a "curette." This eliminates any pregnancy byproducts (fetus and afterbirth) that are still present in the uterus.
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A shot of immune globulin will be administered to the woman with Rh-negative blood following the abortion so that future pregnancies would not experience blood type issues. In order to avoid uterine infections, antibiotics may be prescribed. Bleeding can be reduced by taking additional medications. This process takes 15 minutes to 30 minutes.
3. Dilation and Evacuation (Early Pregnancy 12 Weeks to 24 Weeks Gestation)- After 12 weeks of pregnancy, this is the approach that is most frequently employed. Liquid soap is used to clean the vagina. The cervix is typically prepared by inserting laminaria (natural sponges) into the entrance of the cervix. They swell after absorbing moisture.
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The cervix slowly stretches and opens as a result over the course of many hours. At the time of the procedure, various techniques may occasionally be employed to stretch and open the cervix. To manage discomfort, numbing injections may be combined with intravenous (IV) medication or a general anesthetic. Tools and suction tubes are inserted into the uterus after the cervix has been opened in order to remove the pregnancy's byproducts.
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A shot of immune globulin will be administered to the woman with Rh-negative blood following the abortion so that future pregnancies would not experience blood type issues. In order to avoid uterine infections, antibiotics may be prescribed. Bleeding can be reduced by taking additional medications. This process takes 45 minutes.
4. Induction of Labor (Advanced Pregnancy)- The process of inducing labor to empty the uterus is often carried out in a hospital.
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The cervix must first be made softer in order to prepare it. Many techniques can be applied. Doctors can insert laminaria into the cervix's opening. They swell after absorbing moisture. The cervix slowly stretches and opens as a result over the course of many hours. Alternatively, prostaglandin drugs can be injected into the vagina for a period of time.
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Labor begins as the cervix softens (induced). Prostaglandin or Oxytocin is only a couple of the medications that can be used to start contractions. Labor can also be induced by injecting medication into the "bag of waters" through the abdominal and uterine walls (amniotic sac). In this instance, an injection is administered to numb the skin. The majority of women with induced labor deliver between 10 hours to 20 hours.
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Sometimes the laboring process does not completely remove all tissue from the uterus. If not, it can be removed by uterine wall cleaning with specialized tools. These devices are implanted through the vagina into the uterus. In order to manage pain, general anesthesia or an IV analgesic may be utilized. IV medication may be used to stop bleeding for a while after the uterus has been empty.
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A shot of immune globulin will be administered to the woman with Rh-negative blood following the abortion so that future pregnancies would not experience blood type issues. In order to avoid uterine infections, antibiotics may be prescribed. Bleeding can be reduced by taking additional medications.
5. Hysterotomy or Cesarean Delivery (Advanced Pregnancy- After 24 Weeks Gestation)- Hysterotomy, a surgical procedure, must be utilized in the few instances where the induction approach fails or cannot be used. To cut the uterus open is called a "hysterotomy." It carries the same dangers as a cesarean birth.
A shot of immune globulin will be administered to the woman with Rh-negative blood following the abortion so that future pregnancies would not experience blood type issues. In order to avoid uterine infections, antibiotics may be prescribed. Bleeding can be reduced by taking additional medications.
What Happens After an Abortion?
After the surgery, the patient can relax in the clinic for around 30 minutes while being watched. When she is prepared to go home, she can then continue to unwind in a recuperation area. For up to two weeks, the patient may experience minor bleeding and some cramps. The majority of pain and cramps can be easily managed with Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Codeine, which are available over the counter or on prescription for a few days. The patient should not lift any heavy objects. The doctor will advise when it would be safe to have intercourse or use a tampon; this could take up to a month.
The patient should call the provider or the emergency contact if they are experiencing acute pain, have a fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or are wetting through more than two pads each hour. In order to confirm that the patient has physically healed and is not pregnant, the majority of healthcare professionals will ask them to return for a follow-up session in one week to four weeks.
Conclusion:
A medical method of stopping a pregnancy is abortion. There are different types of procedures, such as medical abortion, vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C), hysterectomy, or labor induction. Depending on the stage of the woman's pregnancy and her medical condition, a healthcare expert will suggest a kind. Abortion is lawful to obtain in a lot of nations and in a few states in the US.
