Like all other medical procedures, a medical or surgical abortion carries health risks and potential side-effects. These risks may vary from women to women depending on their health conditions. Before undergoing an abortion, one needs to look at a number of things. For example, second trimester abortions are performed in the later stages and carry more risk. Abortion statistics show that the number of abortions has only been going upwards. However, we need to understand the complexities abortion brings with it and why we need to be careful before we take the decision of abortion. After all, the process of abortion isn’t that easy.
Risks of surgical abortions and what you should know
Immediate side effects of surgical abortion are:
· Nausea
· Pain or cramping
· Vomiting
· Reaction to anesthetic
· Death
Yes, death occurs, but in extremely rare cases. The chances of death are too low when the abortion procedure is performed by a qualified medical professional in the first trimester.
Short term problems- post abortion
Heavy bleeding: 1-2% of women have serious bleeding after abortion process.
Infection: Serious infection can occur in 3% of women. This can lead to illness and infertility. Physicians prescribe antibiotics to prevent infections after the abortion procedures.
Puncture of the uterus: This is a rare complication, but requires a surgical repair and can be life threatening too.
Retained tissues: If any part like placenta, amniotic sac or part of the fetus is left inside the uterus, serious infection can occur.
Sterility: Permanent impairment to fertility may occur due to serious bleeding, infection or damage to the uterus.
Immediate side effects of medical abortion risks are same as surgical abortion risks. The only other side effect a woman can experience after undergoing a medical abortion is an allergy to drugs. If women have allergic tendencies to the drugs used in the abortion process, then such women can have severe reactions.
Long term risks: Post- abortion
Fertility in the future
The increased risk of pre-term birth after first-trimester abortion have been proved. Increased risk of miscarriage, low birth weight or preterm has been reported from women undergoing second-trimester abortions.
Emotional and Psychological
Some women feel guilty or anger and others feel relief soon after the abortion. Even though it is officially not recognized as a psychiatric disorder, or mental ill health, women may have long term emotional problem following an abortion. Women with a history of clinical depression, other mental difficulties can have further complications.
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