Many women find themselves burdened with a pregnancy that they don't want. There can be various reasons, like an unhealthy mother, pregnancy out of wedlock, etc. (discussed in detail later in the article). Unlike in other countries, it is not difficult for women in India to get rid of unwanted pregnancies.
It's a good idea to become informed about the types of abortion techniques if you're thinking about getting one so you can choose which is the best and easiest for you.
While numerous centres offer the service, it is wise to opt for good doctors and clinics that follow the correct procedures. It is also essential that one must undergo the safest type of abortion according to gestational age.
The female reproductive system consists of parts that are visible outside and concealed inside the body. The main parts of the reproductive system are:
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Abortion refers to the procedure performed to terminate the pregnancy as per the wish and consent of the mother. Qualified doctors must perform an abortion to ensure success and safety. It is legal to terminate pregnancy in India up to 24 weeks under the MTP Act 1971. The opinion of a registered medical practitioner is necessary for the medical termination of pregnancy till 20 weeks of pregnancy, while there must be two registered medical practitioners after 20 weeks.
Termination of pregnancy can be due to medical conditions. There are times when women find themselves pregnant but don't want to deliver the baby. Abortion for any condition is legal in India. Some of the reasons for abortion are:
Women can terminate their pregnancy by taking oral medicines or undergoing surgery. The method of abortion differs depending on the pregnancy stages. It is the joint decision of the patient and the doctor to adopt the most suitable and safe way. Various factors like the age of the foetus, the mother's health condition and her comfort are considered before finalising the apt procedure.
In this type of abortion, oral medicines are given to the patient to remove the foetus from the uterus. The procedure is safe and doesn't come with the pain or risks of surgery. There is no need to stay at the hospital. The patient can start the procedure at the doctor's office or home. Both require follow-up visits to confirm their success.
How To Prepare For A Medical Abortion?
Though no surgery is involved, there are also preparatory steps for medical abortion. It is better to consult the doctor before deciding to go ahead with the abortion. The doctor and patient benefit from the visit as both can prepare for the procedure. The doctor does the following during the visit:
How Is Medical Abortion Done?
This abortion is performed in women whose pregnancies are less than ten weeks old. Medical abortion is done using two medicines, namely, Mifepristone and Misoprostol. The most common practice is to give both drugs orally to the pregnant woman. In most cases, doctors require a pregnant woman to be present at their office to take the first medicine. The patient is sometimes allowed to start the medication at home.
One tablet of Mifepristone is administered orally by the pregnant woman at the doctor's clinic. This medicine blocks the production of the hormone progesterone. It makes the uterus walls thin and stops the progress of the pregnancy. The doctor then allows the pregnant woman to go home. The doctor will then ask her to take one tablet of Misoprostol after 24 hours. The effect of the medicines starts immediately, but the abortion can take up to 24 hours to complete.
What Happens After The Procedure?
A follow-up visit to the doctor after two weeks is necessary to confirm that the pregnancy has been completely terminated. Doctors conduct blood tests to ensure this. Sometimes, this method does not entirely expel the foetus from the uterus. In such cases, a surgical procedure called dilation and curettage removes the remaining portions of the foetus.
This method is used when the pregnancy is past ten weeks. There are various procedures to remove the foetus from the uterus surgically. The choice depends on how old the pregnancy is. Below are the most common methods used in surgical abortions.
Before The Procedure
As the procedure is similar to other surgeries, specific preparatory steps must be taken before the surgery.
Types of surgical abortions:
After The Surgery
Advantages
Risks
Dilation and Curettage: It is done in the second trimester of pregnancy. The technique used combines suction and surgical tools such as forceps.
After The Procedure
Advantages
Risks
Induction Abortion
Induction abortion is a method to terminate pregnancy in the second trimester. Labour is induced using medicines. The foetus is expelled due to the contractions resulting from the drug.
After The Surgery
Advantages
Risks
There are different ways in which a woman can terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Depending on the stage of the pregnancy, it is for the doctors to decide which type of abortion is most suitable for the patient. Those who want to undergo an abortion can visit the HexaHealth website to find out more about the best doctors and medical facilities available in their vicinity. Their experts handhold you throughout the process and ensure you have a safe abortion and quick recovery.
Last Updated on: 5 July 2024
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