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Abortion in the later stage of the pregnancy, i.e., the third trimester, is usually complex and challenging to achieve. The public support for abortion after 24 weeks is low. Moreover, the law of abortion in India does not permit women to abort their babies after 24 weeks unless there are complications. Thus, abortion in the third trimester is a rare decision. Less than 1% of abortions take place in the third trimester.
The third trimester is the last stage of pregnancy. It occurs between weeks 27 to 40 (the 7th, 8th, and 9th months) of pregnancy. During the third trimester, the baby grows and changes position to prepare for delivery. The baby can hear, smile, cry, see, and suck on its thumb. The lungs and kidneys of the baby mature, and the brain continue to develop. Furthermore, the third trimester can be challenging for the woman.
It can be complicated and challenging to carry out an abortion in the third trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, women are not allowed to get abortions in India after 24 weeks unless there are complications. Abortion during the third trimester is, therefore, a rare choice.
Read the blog below to learn more about the process, side effects, and possible complications of abortion in the third trimester.
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There are two main reasons for which women seek abortion in the third trimester, which include:
The opponents of abortion often argue against the termination of pregnancy due to foetal anomalies. According to these people, even children born with a disability can lead a good life. But, the couple may still choose abortion as an ideal choice because of the emotional and financial cost of raising a disabled child. Furthermore, raising a child who might need constant medical attention and suffer from pain may seem unfair.
Women who end their pregnancy in the third trimester need a surgical abortion procedure called Dilation and Evacuation (D&E). It is an outpatient procedure performed in a hospital or clinic. Before the procedure, you will have an in-depth consultation visit with your healthcare professional to discuss the following:
Your healthcare team will also provide instructions to follow before and after the procedure. Additionally, you will have to stop eating or drinking anything 8 hours before the procedure. In some cases, you will have your cervix dilated a day before the procedure.
The D&E procedure involves the following steps:
Some potential side effects after the abortion include:
There are some possible complications from D&E in the third trimester that may need additional treatment. These complications include:
Call your healthcare professional if you experience the following:
To reduce the risk of infection, you must avoid the following for the first week after the procedure:
It is essential to consult your healthcare professional while taking your final decision about abortion in the third trimester. Since abortion in the later stage can pose more risk to the mother’s life, consulting with an expert before making a decision is highly critical. You can contact the team of doctors at HexaHealth anytime to discuss all your options and decide the best line of action. Moreover, we will help you understand the procedure and what you should expect before and after the abortion. Make sure to write down the questions you may have for the doctor so that you don’t forget anything during the appointment.
Emotional Support After a Third Trimester Pregnancy
Abortion at any stage during the pregnancy can bring about a range of different emotions. However, pregnancy in the third trimester can be particularly challenging. Why? Because of the social stigma and lack of support attached to it. Apart from social factors, you may experience negative emotions like depression, sadness, or a sense of loss due to hormonal fluctuations. You may want to consult a mental health professional if you experience constant grief or sorrow. Your gynaecologist can refer you to a therapist, counsellor, or support group to help you process your emotions.
As the weeks of pregnancy increase, your risk of complications may also increase. The doctor may recommend an abortion at this stage only when it is necessary to preserve your health or to prevent death. The increasing complications, legal restrictions, and social stigma are reasons for abortions in the third trimester being a rare decision. While third-trimester abortions are relatively uncommon compared to first-trimester abortions, sometimes, abortions in the later stage may be the ideal choice. Talk to your healthcare professional to make a safe and legal decision.
The final stage of your pregnancy is the third trimester or last trimester. The duration is weeks 29 through 40, or months 7, 8, and 9. Your baby develops, grows, and begins to move into a birthing position during this trimester.
In the third trimester, women commonly seek abortions for the following two reasons:
The side effects of surgical abortions are rare. Following an abortion, the following potential side effects which could occur might be:
An ultrasound is performed before a D&E and after the procedure to check for any remaining foetal tissues. The surgeon will insert a speculum into the vagina. Dilators, which are thin rods, dilate the cervix. Gentle suction is done with instruments to remove the pregnancy.
No, abortion in the last trimester will not affect fertility. Only Asherman syndrome and infection, which are comparatively rare, can impact your fertility.
Yes, you can become pregnant after an abortion. It makes no difference if you've had an abortion or not to become pregnant in future. Additionally, it doesn't put you at a higher risk of difficulties in future pregnancies.
Different degrees of pain management are there during and following an abortion. A few of them are as follows:
You should return home and rest after an abortion. Return to your routine the following day only if you are ready. Avoid any action that makes your pain worse. Don't drive for eight hours after the procedure if you are given oral sedatives or narcotic painkillers.
Depending on the type of abortion (medical or surgical) and your gestational age, you may bleed irregularly for up to four weeks after the surgery. From extremely mild to somewhat heavy, the flow might change. Blood clots of small size are common. Clots can be crimson or dark purple. After the operation, only use sanitary pads and not tampons if you have bleeding. For a few days, cramping can be an issue. Four to six days following the surgery, some individuals endure an episode of intense bleeding and discomfort.
Four to seven weeks following the operation, your next period should start. The fourth week of your contraceptive cycle will be when you get your next period
It's advisable to refrain from penetrative vaginal sex for at least a week after having a D&E, including using fingers, a fist, or sex toys. Your body will be able to recover and help avoid infection as a result.
Abortion is risk-free. There is no risk to your general health or ability to have children in the future. In fact, after an abortion, it is possible to become pregnant fast. Therefore, discussing a birth control strategy with your doctor after having an abortion is wise.
Tampons shouldn't be used for two weeks following your abortion. Use sanitary napkins to lessen the risk of infection and track how much you're bleeding.
In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, D&E is a successful abortion technique. This method can also remove the tissue left over from a miscarriage.
Abortions performed surgically are highly safe. Rare complications do occur. However, there is some risk associated with every surgery. Infection is one potential issue with surgical abortions. Other rare complications include cervical tear, perforation of the uterus, bleeding, medicine allergies or side effects.
Last Updated on: 9 February 2024
MBBS, DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Diploma In Cosmetic Gynaecology
9 Years Experience
Dr Arti Sharma is a well-known Obstetrician and Cosmetic Gynaecologist currently associated with Aesthetica Veda in Bengaluru. She has 9 years of experience in Obstetrics and Cosmetic Gynaecology and worked as an expert Obstetrician...View More
BSc. Biotechnology I MDU and MSc in Medical Biochemistry (HIMSR, Jamia Hamdard)
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Skilled in SEO and passionate about creating informative and engaging medical content. Her proofreading and content writing for medical websites is impressive. She creates informative and engaging content that educ...View More
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