3 minute read
WOMEN HEALTH
Abortion - Types, Safety, And Complications
Introduction
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As per WHO, there are around 40-50 million abortions in the world. It means, per day, around 1,25,000 abortions take place.
In the US, abortion is a common surgery. It is a termination of pregnancy through medication or a surgical procedure.
When Can One Have An Abortion?
It usually happens before 24 weeks of pregnancy. If it is carried out after 24 weeks, it can be highly risky for the mother and child or for either of them.
Before an abortion begins, an ultrasound scan is taken and the pregnancy if calculated from the first and last day of your periods.
The earlier you get an abortion done, the safer it is.
Risks In An Abortion
If abortion is carried out during the initial stages of pregnancy, it is safe, less painful, and you won’t lose much blood.
Sometimes in abortion, you might have to go through the following risks
l Uterus infection
l Excessive bleeding
l Risk of the womb being damaged
l Pregnancy remaining in the uterus
Bear in mind that an abortion would not reduce your chances of getting pregnant in the future.
If there are complications in your pregnancy, even after the abortion you might have to do another surgery and get yourself treated.
What Is An Abortion Like?
Firstly, you will have an appointment with your doctor and be given instructions about what next.
Usually, the doctor should give you two choices on how you want to get aborted.
No 1 - Medical Abortion
No 2 - Surgical Abortion
To carry out a medical abortion you would need to take two medicines. The doctor would give this to you around 24 to 48 hours before.
In surgical abortion, the fetus would be removed and you will be asked to go home after it’s done.
After the surgery, there are chances of experiencing discomfort and vaginal bleeding for over 2 weeks.
For a few days, you will need to take good rest.
Tips To Take Care Of Yourself After An Abortion
Here is what you need to know and follow!
Clearly follow your doctor’s instructions
The doctor would let you know if you need rest and what to do next. After an abortion, it is better to keep away from using a tampon.
There is a higher possibility of getting pregnant after an abortion. Follow birth control tips before getting involved in intercourse.
Strictly take medicines prescribed to you.
Report Abnormal Symptoms
As mentioned earlier, it is normal for a few women to experience bleeding and cramping right after an abortion.
Your body needs time to come back to normal after an abortion. Therefore, besides vaginal bleeding or cramps, you might even experience mood swings or your breasts might get tender. Until here it is normal.
Reach out to your doctor if you experience the following problems
l Dizziness
l Intense abdominal pain
l Shortness of breath
l Vaginal discharge
l 101 fever
Self-Care Tips After An Abortion
l Accept how you feel.
l Give your body some time to get back to normal.
l Take an over-the-counter pain killer if you have excessive abdominal pain.
l Gently massage your stomach to reduce pain.
l Keep away from strenuous activities.
l For 2-3 weeks, avoid having sex or putting anything into your vagina.
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