Abortion is a procedure to end or terminate a pregnancy that must be carried out by a licensed health care professional. In most parts of the world especially in Africa, abortion is considered illegal and punishable by jail term hence the rise of unsafe abortion procedures. Even the Church frowns at it and considers it murder. Hence the stigma attached to people that undergo abortions. It is often not talked about.
When Should Abortion Procedures Be Carried Out?
Contrary to belief, Abortions can be carried out for these reasons:
- If the fetus i.e baby in the womb is defective i.e if the baby will be born with severe abnormalities like hydrocephalus etc
- If the mother is a victim of rape or incest
- If the mother is not emotionally, mentally, and financially ready for a child
When To Carry Out an Abortion.
A safe and uncomplicated abortion can be carried out between 6 – 22 weeks of gestation. Any procedure after this time is not recommended except if the mother’s life is at risk or the fetus is not viable outside the mother’s body
Methods Of Safe Abortion Procedures
1. Medication Abortion: This is done by ingesting pills prescribed by a doctor or nurse. It is most effective during the first trimester of pregnancy i.e first 3 months. The older the pregnancy the less effective the pills
2. Vacuum Aspiration: This type of surgical intervention involves gentle suction and is recommended in the first trimester.
3. Dilation and Evacuation: This involves inserting a speculum into the vagina then using dilators to open the cervix and removing the pregnancy tissue with forceps then finally using suction to remove any remaining tissues.
4. Labor Induction: This method is for pregnancy in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. It is rarely out and recommended if the pregnant mother’s life is in danger
Risks Associated with Unsafe Abortion
Due to the laws against abortion in various countries, the procedure is usually carried out by untrained personnel in unsanitary environments with unsterilized equipment which ultimately leads to various complications including;
- Damage to the womb or cervix.
- Excessive bleeding
- Incomplete abortion i.e some part of the tissue is left in the womb
- Infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Scarring of the inside of the uterus
- Sepsis or septic shock
- Uterine perforation
Read Also: Yeast Infection and Why It Is Recurring
Future health risks include a weakening of the cervix which increases the woman’s risk of future preterm [premature] deliveries.
In conclusion, to avoid undergoing abortion procedures please practice safe sex with the use of contraceptive pills and condoms and most importantly abstinence from sex.
- Written by Lady Efenyi; a nursing student at the University of Calabar, Nigeria
Disclaimer: “The views/contents expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of Lady Efenyi, and do not necessarily reflect those of The World Satellite. The World Satellite will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements contained in this article.”
