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Termination Of Pregnancy | Which Is The Best Abortion Procedure For You?

The history of abortion dates far back as the history of humanity and civilization. In the United States, for example, throughout history, abortion has always -in one form or another, been legal, and welcomed. It wasn’t until the 1800’s that different states started putting regulatory measures around abortion practices.

These regulatory measures, including making abortion practices illegal, were driven by two main factors. The first is the fear that immigrants would outnumber the ‘natives’ if they continued aborting. The second reason was the risk associated with abortion. Abortion was seen as a risky procedure, which would end up harming the mother’s body, to the extent where they wouldn’t be able to give birth or, even worse, lose their lives.

Fast forward to the recent past, and while both these issues had long fixed – local populations were steady and growing, and medicine had evolved to safely handle even the most complex and meticulous of procedures.

However, the aforementioned ban on abortions in most regions was still enforced. This pushed women who wished to abort to backward, unorthodox, and unprofessional clinics, which still endangered the ladies’ lives. To an extent, this has contributed to the rigidity of legalizing abortions in most regions. And while some change can be seen, there’s still a long way to go.

Over this period of time, different abortion techniques were developed. At first, most were experimental and would still lead to harm, injuries, and loss of lives. Fortunately, today, there are tried and tested abortion techniques, which significantly lower any risk. In fact, some studies have equated the risk of getting a safe abortion to that of having a colonoscopy procedure.

Additionally, the World Health Organization revealed that between 2010 and 2014, there was an average of 56 million abortions every year. In short, a quarter of all pregnancies worldwide ended in abortions.

What this data shows is the society has to move towards making a positive and conducive environment where abortion is not only legalized but encouraged for those who wish to carry on with the procedure.

Safe Abortion Procedures Available Today

Today, there are various safe abortion methods that not only put your safety as the top priority but also have your comfort in mind. The abortion technique you go for should be advised by various factors, including age, health status, history of complications, and so on.

Some of the renowned abortion options available today include;

1. Medical abortion

Medical abortion is usually advisable for pregnancies in the first trimester and involves taking a pill at separate times. In a medical abortion, you’ll be required to take two types of medications – misoprostol and mifepristone. The medical personnel will advise on the times you are to take the medication. However, mifepristone should be taken first, followed by misoprostol, not more than 48 hours from when you ingest the first pill.

The initial drug halts the pregnancy from further formation while the latter triggers the emptying of the uterus. You’ll begin to see the results not more than five hours after the second pill.

A woman will likely experience bleeding and cramping as the uterus empties. This process is oft compared to having heavy periods, although the pain varies from person to another. The whole process lasts about five hours from when you take the second pill but can last longer in some cases.

Advantages of a medical abortion procedure

• You don’t have to undergo surgery
• There’s no anesthetic use
• It’s available during the first trimester

Disadvantages of medical abortion

• It may lead to painful cramping
• A bulk of the procedure is done without the presence of medical personnel
• It’s not effective during the second trimester
• While are, there are chances of failure

Side effects associated with medical abortions

• Unusually heavy vaginal bleeding
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Dizziness

2. Vacuum Aspiration

Vacuum aspiration, like medical abortion, is usually advised during the first trimester of the pregnancy. The process is somewhat surgical and involves a qualified medical practitioner halting the pregnancy through gentle suction.

The quailed medical practitioner first inserts a speculum into the vagina. This is followed by an injection to numb the area before opening the cervix with thin rods known as dilators. After this, they insert a tube into the uterus and suction then empty it either mechanically or manually.

Advantages

• It’s a quick process, taking about ten minutes
• It’s available during the first trimester
• It is generally a painless procedure
• It doesn’t require general anesthesia

Disadvantages

• Some women experience nausea, cramping and sweating after the procedure
• Irregular spotting and bleeding weeks after the surgery
• It’s only available during the first trimester

Side effects

• While relatively low, there are cases of infection and bleeding after the procedure.

NB: Part of the recovery process after vacuum aspiration includes taking antibiotics to prevent infections, resting for a few hours after the procedure and avoiding intercourse for at least a week.

3. Dilation and evacuation

While the first two procedures are prevalent in the first trimester of the pregnancy, dilation and evacuation is carried out during the second trimester. This is a surgical abortion that involves general anesthesia before the process. The anesthesia is to prevent you from feeling any pain or sensation during the surgical procedure.

The procedure begins like that of vacuum aspiration, with the doctor inserting a speculum into the vagina, followed by dilators to open the cervix. Next, the doctors, with the help of small forceps, remove the pregnancy tissue before suctioning to remove any remnant tissue.

Advantages

• It’s available even the later stages of pregnancy – during the second trimester
• It is a highly effective procedure
• It’s a safe and benign way to terminate the pregnancy

Disadvantages

• The surgery requires general anesthesia
• You’ll require a retest after recovery
• You may experience pain and cramping for several days
• Noticeable bleeding and spotting up to two weeks after the procedure

Side effects

• Heavy bleeding
• Infections
• While extremely rare, injury to the uterus is a possibility

4. Labor induction abortion

This is usually a last resort and is used in the later stages of pregnancy -late second to the third trimester. Labor induction abortion is quite are and is usually the result of the pregnant woman’s life being in danger.

This process starts with medications suited to fast track and starts labor. The process leads to the emptying of the uterus between 12 and 24 hours. The said medication can be ingested orally, or the doctor may opt to inject them in the uterus or place them on the vagina. As the process involves intense cramping, doctors may administer anesthetics or pain relief medication.

After the procedure, the woman may remain in the facility for monitoring and evaluation for a few hours to about two days. This duration may change, factoring any other health factors the woman may have.

Side effects of a labor induced abortion

Some of the medication may lead to side effects such as;

• Fever
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Other rare complications and side effects form the procedure include;

• Rupturing of the uterus
• Hemorrhage
• Infections
• The pregnancy tissue may fail to release completely
• Cervical injury

5. Hysterotomy Abortion

A hysterotomy abortion is another later term option and often happens around the 24th week of the pregnancy. The process is pretty similar to that of the C-Section.

The hysterotomy procedure is performed in a hospital, with the doctor opting between a local and general anesthesia, depending on a number of health and situational factors. After the anesthesia, the doctor makes an incision through the abdomen till they reach the uterus, before removing the uterine contents.

After the surgery, you will need to remain in the hospital for a few days for observation. You’ll also be provided with pain relief medication to help numb the pain post-surgery.

While a highly effective procedure, it is usually the last resort due to the extent of surgery required.

Which Abortion Method Should You Go For?

This is a question you have to first tackle before deciding to have an abortion. Of course, some factors may be out of your control, like in the case of labor induces and hysterotomy abortions. However, if you have the option, you should first consider if you want a medical or surgical operation.

Other factors that come into play when choosing the best abortion procedure include;

1. Location: Depending on your area of residence, you may have limited options. Fortunately, with the help of technology and the internet, you can find all the safe abortion centers in your area. If you do have to travel, remember to have someone accompanying you.

2. Cost: Depending on the laws and regulations of your region, abortion may be free in some local public hospitals. However, in most cases, you’ll have to incur various expenses during the procedures. Find a procedure that is safe and affordable.

3. Gestation: The stage of your pregnancy will also greatly affect which procedure is best suited for you. For example, medical abortion and vacuum aspiration are best during the first trimester. They may, however, prove ineffective during later stages of the pregnancy.

4. Emotional and physical well being: Your safety is often the priority in any abortion method. If you can opt for the safest and healthiest procedure, additionally, you should ensure you have the procedure done in a conducive environment, which ensures both your physical and emotional health.

Ultimately, there’s a lot to consider before deciding to carry out an abortion. If you’re looking for the safest and most effective method, the above information should guide you to the fitting procedure. Besides ensuring you have a safe procedure, don’t shy away from asking for help from a friend or qualified personnel, and everything will be okay.

Dr James S Pendergraft | Orlando Women’s Center  | Abortion Clinic Orlando