Introduction:
Abortion is a procedure performed to terminate a pregnancy. The method chosen to terminate the pregnancy by a person depends on factors like personal preference and stage the pregnancy is in. They are considered safe when done in the earliest periods of pregnancy. Early abortions usually have relatively low risks. The low risks enables a person to get pregnant soon after having an abortion. However, complications can be expected if the pregnancy is in the last stages. Therefore, it is always important for the abortion to be carried out by a doctor in a safe and sterile environment to prevent complications and fertility issues and for the general well-being and health of the patient. (WHO) recommends a spacing of six months between abortion and the next pregnancy.
What Are the Types of Abortions?
Abortions can be medical abortions or surgical abortions.
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Medical Abortion - Medical abortion is also called medical termination of pregnancy. It is done using a combination of medications like Mifepristone and Misoprostol. These pills are given during the early stages of pregnancy, usually in the first trimester. A medical abortion does not require any anesthesia or surgery and can be done in a doctor's office or home, followed by visits to the doctor.
- Surgical Abortion - A abortion done by means of surgery is called surgical termination of pregnancy or dilation and curettage (D&C). In this method, the cervix (the narrow part of the uterus) is dilated, and the fetus is removed with a sharp instrument or suction device called the curette. Complications usually occur in surgical abortions. Some complications include infections, bleeding, retained pregnancy tissue, cervical laceration, uterine perforation, or any allergic reaction to the medication used during the procedure.
What Are the Symptoms Seen After an Abortion?
Some symptoms after an abortion include abdominal cramping and pain, diarrhea, vaginal bleeding, headaches, dizziness, and nausea or vomiting. Vaginal bleeding can last from about nine days to about 45 days in very rare cases. Heavy bleeding happens with a medical abortion, whereas light spotting or bleeding can happen with a surgical abortion.
How Is an Incomplete Abortion Identified?
The main symptoms of an incomplete abortion include abdominal pain, passing blood clots, fever, pain in the perineum, buttock region, and genitalia, along with moderate-to-severe vaginal bleeding. When the blood fills more than one pad in an hour, it suggests heavy vaginal bleeding, which requires immediate attention. It can also be identified using imaging techniques like ultrasound scans. An incomplete abortion can be managed medically or surgically.
What Are the Complications Associated With an Abortion?
Some of the complications seen in abortions are:
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Hemorrhage - Hemorrhage can be caused due to incomplete abortion, damage or trauma to the cervix, uterine perforation, or rupture. Medications, blood transfusions, or surgical interventions can treat hemorrhages.
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Infection - Signs of infection include fever or chills, uterine tenderness, pelvic or abdominal pain, foul-smelling cervical or vaginal discharge, and prolonged bleeding. Antibiotics are the first-line treatment for infections.
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Uterine Perforations - Uterine perforations are usually undetected and can be resolved independently without intervention. If it does not resolve itself, surgical intervention might be required.
How Soon Is It Safe for Women to Conceive After an Abortion?
Some doctors recommend waiting till the end of the first menstrual period after an abortion. This wait can reduce the risk of infections, making it easier to determine the delivery date if the next pregnancy does take place. Since abortion is associated with fewer risks, if a person is ready and wishes to get pregnant again, they can get pregnant within two weeks after an abortion, even before the periods start. No extra steps are needed to get pregnant after an abortion. If an abortion is done due to underlying medical reasons, an appropriate medical assessment is essential before trying for pregnancy. By doing this checkup, the person can know whether the same difficulties will affect them in the future.
How Soon Can Pregnancy Happen After an Abortion?
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An abortion will result in the restarting of the menstrual cycle.
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Ovulation is a process when the egg is released from the ovary. This usually happens around the 14th day of a 28-day menstrual cycle. This means that ovulation can begin two weeks after an abortion, and the person can become pregnant again with unprotected sex before the start of the next period.
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However, menstrual cycles vary in people, and people with shorter menstrual cycles may begin their ovulation sooner. In such cases, the women can begin ovulating eight days after abortion and could get pregnant sooner.
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Ovulation also depends on the duration of pregnancy before the abortion. If the abortion was done later in pregnancy, the pregnancy hormones might linger in the body, and the patient might not ovulate for several weeks after the abortion.
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If a person does not wish to get pregnant soon after an abortion, they can start using contraception. Contraceptive methods like intrauterine devices can be used immediately after the end of pregnancy.
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If there are any signs of pregnancy after an abortion, a pregnancy test should be taken. If the test results come positive, consult a doctor to determine whether they are signs of pregnancy or the presence of pregnancy hormones that have not weaned off.
What Is the Timeframe for Pregnancy Tests to Provide Reliable Results Following an Abortion?
A home pregnancy test can show an accurate positive or negative result three weeks after the abortion. However, if the pregnancy test is done before three weeks or soon after an abortion, there are chances of a false positive result. This can happen as the body might contain increased levels of a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The presence of this hormone can result in a positive result on pregnancy tests. The hCG levels usually reduce quickly after an abortion; however, it can take several days or weeks to return to their baseline level. It is always advised to consult the physician to confirm the results.
Will Abortion Affect Future Pregnancies?
Most of the time, an abortion does not affect future pregnancies. However, in rare cases, in surgical abortions, few risks can occur in a future pregnancy. If the uterus undergoes multiple surgeries, there are chances of scar tissue formation in the uterus, affecting fertility. In addition, uterine evacuation (removal of pregnancy tissue from the uterus) was found to be a risk factor for premature birth and low birth weight.
Conclusion:
Depending on the weeks of pregnancy, abortion can be done medically or surgically. There are very few risks associated with abortion. Hence, a woman can conceive within two weeks of the abortion. However, doctors recommend waiting for the next period or about two weeks after the abortion to prevent risks like an infection.
