Abortions are safe if they are done with a method that is appropriate to the pregnancy duration and if the person providing or supporting the abortion is trained. This is why there is no need to be scared of the abortion. They can be done using the abortion pill (medical abortion) or a simple outpatient procedure at the abortion clinic (surgical abortion).
Surgical abortion is one of the safest types of medical procedures. Complications from having a first-trimester aspiration abortion are considerably less frequent and less serious than those associated with giving birth, and an early medical abortion has a similar safety profile.
Unsafe abortion may occur in cases when a pregnancy is terminated either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards. Skills and medical standards considered safe in the provision of induced abortions differ for medical and surgical abortion. They also vary depending upon the duration of the pregnancy and evolving scientific advances.
Abortions are less safe when done using outdated methods like sharp curettage or when they involve the ingestion of caustic substances. Women, including adolescents, with unwanted pregnancies, often resort to unsafe abortion if they can not overcome the barriers to accessing safe abortion. Barriers to accessing safe abortion include:
- Restrictive laws
- Poor availability of services
- High cost
- Stigma
- A conscientious objection of healthcare providers
- Unnecessary requirements, such as mandatory waiting periods, mandatory counseling, provision of misleading information, third-party authorization, and medically unnecessary tests that delay care
Why you shouldn’t be scared of the abortion
Unsafe abortion can be prevented through:
- Comprehensive sexuality education
- Prevention of unintended pregnancy through the use of effective contraception, including emergency contraception
- Provision of safe and legal abortion
Deaths and disability from unsafe abortion can also be reduced through the timely provision of emergency treatment of complications.
Complications following an unsafe abortion that require emergency care
Following unsafe abortion, women sometimes experience many harms that affect their quality of life and well-being. The major complications include hemorrhage, infection, and injury to the genital tract and internal organs. Unsafe abortion can lead to:
- Incomplete abortion (failure to remove or expel all of the pregnancy tissue from the uterus)
- Hemorrhage (heavy bleeding)
- Infection
- Uterine perforation (caused when the uterus is pierced by a sharp object)
- Damage to the genital tract and internal organs by inserting dangerous objects
These problems are really rare, and they are usually easy to treat. If your abortion doesn’t end your pregnancy or get all the pregnancy tissue out, you may need another procedure, which is common.
Signs and symptoms
An accurate initial assessment is critical to provide proper treatment and prompt referral for complications of unsafe abortion. The critical signs and symptoms of complications that require immediate attention and treatment include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Infection
- Shock (collapse of the circulatory system)
Complications following an unsafe abortion can sometimes be hard to diagnose. For example, a woman with an extra-uterine or ectopic pregnancy (abnormal development of a fertilized egg outside of the uterus) may have symptoms similar to those of incomplete abortion. This is why healthcare personnel needs to be prepared to make referrals and arrange transport to a facility where a definitive diagnosis can be made and proper care can be delivered quickly.
Treatment and care
Complications after an unsafe abortion and their treatments include:
- Hemorrhage – Heavy blood loss needs to be treated promptly as any delays can be fatal.
- Infection – Infection needs to be treated with antibiotics along with evacuation of any remaining pregnancy tissue from the uterus as soon as possible.
- Injury to the genital tract or internal organs – If there is a suspicion about a possible injury, early referral to an appropriate level of health care is essential.
In-clinic abortion procedures are common and effective. Unless there is a rare and serious complication that is not treated, there is no risk to your future pregnancies or your overall health. Having an abortion doesn’t increase the risk of breast cancer or affect your fertility. It also can not cause problems for future pregnancies, such as birth defects, premature birth or low birth weight, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or infant death. There is no need to be scared of abortion if it is done by a professional. For more information, be free to contact abortion clinic Fort Lauderdale.
