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Abortion - Treatment, Procedure And Side Effects

What is the treatment?

When a pregnancy is deliberately eliminated at an early stage it is known an abortion. On occasion an abortion may take pace by itself, that is, naturally. In this case, it is called a miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion. Abortion is a type of service offered to women who do not want to go ahead with their pregnancy. In this case, they may end their pregnancy either through medication or surgery.

If you think you are pregnant or have confirmed your pregnancy through a home test, make sure to consult a doctor immediately. If you want to eliminate the pregnancy, it is best to do it during the early stages of pregnancy. Thus, make sure to discuss all your options with a doctor. Early termination of pregnancy also reduces the risks involved.

Terminating a pregnancy is a big decision and one that is very difficult to make. Thus, it should be carefully considered. In the case of any type of confusion, counselling may be opted for. One can either speak to their doctor about the implications of an abortion or discuss it with a close family member or friend. Only after serious thought should an abortion be considered.

How is the treatment done?

There are ideally two ways to terminate a pregnancy. The first method is known as a medical abortion and the second method is known as a surgical abortion.

Medical Abortion- A medical abortion generally involves the consumption of medicines to terminate a pregnancy. This type of abortion can only be done if the pregnancy is less than 9 weeks. In a medical abortion, two ‘abortion pills’ are taken orally within a gap of 24-48 hours, which induces a miscarriage.
Surgical abortion- Generally done after 9 weeks of pregnancy, it is a short procedure in which the fetus is removed. There are two types of surgical abortion procedures. These include vacuum aspiration and dilation and evacuation (D&E).

Vacuum aspiration involves the use of a vacuum device or suction device which effectively eliminates the uterine contents via the cervix. Apart from eliminating pregnancy, this procedure is also done in the case of endometrial biopsy.

Dilation and evacuation- In this type of surgical abortion, the cervix is first dilated after which the uterine contents are surgically removed with the help of forceps. Dilation and evacuation are generally done if the pregnancy is at 12 weeks.

Who is eligible for the treatment? (When is the treatment done?)

Abortion eligibility generally depends on the stage of a woman's pregnancy. A medical abortion can be opted for before the pregnancy reaches 9 weeks, after which a woman can only undergo a surgical abortion.

Who is not eligible for the treatment?

A number of countries do not allow abortion after a woman has reached 24 weeks. While women who are under 18 need parents’ consent before they can get an abortion.

Are there any side effects?

While both the medical and surgical abortion procedures are quite safe, every procedure and treatment do involve some risks. Abortion risks include-

Development of infection in the womb.
Excessive bleeding may result after termination
The cervix may be damaged
The womb may be damaged

Abortion is safest if it is done at the earliest. In the case of any complications, a doctor should be consulted immediately and relevant treatment should be opted for. Opting for an abortion does not reduce the chance of a future pregnancy.

What are the post-treatment guidelines?

Post the abortion complete recovery is important. The guidelines are -

Have sex only 2 weeks after post the procedure to avoid the onset of an infection.
Take a pregnancy test to confirm if the procedure has been a success. The test should be taken about 4 weeks post the procedure.
Contraception should be used immediately after the procedure.
Wait a day post the treatment and then take a bath, primarily because you may still be a bit dizzy and weak from the medicine that was given to you for the procedure.
Tampons should be used only 4 weeks post the procedure.

How long does it take to recover?

The abortion procedure takes about two days to complete and the recovery period may take about 2 weeks depending on complications.

What is the price of the treatment in India?

In India, an abortion may cost from Rs 5000- to Rs 30,000 depending on the kind of procedure that is undergone.

Are the results of the treatment permanent?

Yes, the results of the treatment are permanent

What are the alternatives to the treatment?

An alternative way of abortion includes the use of herbs to trigger a miscarriage. This is known as herbal abortion.

Although not entirely an alternative to abortion, having the baby and giving it up for adoption may also be considered.

Safety: High Effectiveness: Very High Timeliness: High Relative Risk: Low Side Effects: Low Recovery Time: Low Price Range: Rs. 5000 - Rs. 30,000

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Ectopic Pregnancy - How to Treat It?

Dr. Hitu Madan 89% (298 ratings)

FIMS, DGO, MBBS

Gynaecologist, Gurgaon

An ectopic pregnancy takes place in the case when the completely fertilized egg attaches itself to a place outside the inner side of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy is also called tubal pregnancy because in most cases, it takes place in the Fallopian tube. Usually, the Fallopian tubes are not responsible for holding an embryo, which keeps on growing. Hence, the egg has no scope to develop in the Fallopian tube. This problem must be treated as soon as possible to avoid further complications. Here are several ways of treating ectopic pregnancy. 1. Expectant management: In case you are not experiencing any symptoms of pregnancy or the pregnancy cannot be found, close observation is required. This is known as expectant management. You should conduct regular blood tests and follow them up in order to detect, whether the hCG level in your blood is ascending or descending. You are likely to have vaginal bleeding. Use pads and towels instead of tampons. Pain in your tummy is also indicated. 2. Proper medication: In case ectopic pregnancy is detected at an early stage and constant monitoring is not suitable for you, a medicine by the name of methotrexate can be used for treatment. The medicine stops this pregnancy from developing. It is usually injected into your buttocks. Regular blood tests must be carried out to know how the treatment is taking shape on your condition. Trusted contraception measures should be taken for three months following the treatment as methotrexate is very harmful for an infant in case you become pregnant. Keep away from alcohol, as the combination of methotrexate with alcohol is harmful to the liver. 3. Surgical means: The most common mode of surgery for removing ectopic pregnancy during an early stage is laparoscopy or keyhole surgery. While a laparoscopy is carried out, you will be in a state of anesthesia. A narrow tube or the laparoscope is inserted through surgical cuts in the tummy. The Fallopian tube, which had the ectopic pregnancy is totally removed in case the other Fallopian tube is functioning well. Else the pregnancy has to be somehow removed without cutting off the Fallopian tube. Removal of the Fallopian tube is the best remedy for treating ectopic pregnancy and getting pregnant again is also possible. It takes a normal woman almost six weeks to recover after the surgery. Laparotomy is another kind of surgery carried out to repair a ruptured Fallopian tube.

4244 people found this helpful

Abortion Habitual

Dr. Mrs Neeraj Gupta 90% (331 ratings)

BHMS, Certificate in Gynaecology & Obestric, MD - Homeopathy, Ph.D Homeopathy

Homeopath, Delhi

Abortion is the expulsion of products of conception either fully or partially. The causes of abortion vary from hormonal disturbances any trauma or injury, a severe shock, infectious and foetal abnormalities. It is a nature's way of rejecting a malformed baby. Other reasons can be: TORCH infections. Uterine weakness or displacement. Cervical canal weakness. SYMPTOMS: Bleeding from vagina either profuse or in spots. Pain is usually the dull type of pain in abdomen and back. DO'S and DONT'S: If you have a bad obstetric history like repeated abortions, malformed foetuses, consult a gynaecologist as soon as pregnancy is suspected. Do not over strain, carry weights, or do laborious jobs during pregnancy. Take plenty of rest but do take some light exercise. Exercises should be done only under the medical guidance or expert opinion. Take doctor's advice on diet and medicate. Do not self-medicate.

7 people found this helpful

Choice between Surgical and Medical Abortion

Dr. Niraj Mahajan 91% (3530 ratings)

MD - Obstetrtics & Gynaecology

Gynaecologist, Mumbai

There are two methods by which abortion can be done Medical Abortion -non-surgical abortion in which medicines are used to induce abortion Surgical Abortion - Use of transcervical procedures for terminating pregnancy, including vacuum aspiration, and dilatation and evacuation (D&E). Surgical or Medical Abortion for Unwanted Pregnancy If pregnancy is <= 7 weeks; medical Method with Mifepristone with misoprostol is favorable as success rate is as high as 97%. If pregnancy is between 7-12 weeks; surgical abortion is the only option. If pregnancy is beyond 12 weeks – 20 weeks, then woman needs to be hopsitalized and will be given either Mifepristone followed by Misoprostol tablet or only misoprostol tablets and woman will then abort like a miscarriage in the Hospital. If any products are remaining then it will be evacuated surgically. Surgical abortion is preferred if patient desires concurrent tubal ligation or IUCD (CuT) insertion. If a woman fulfills the criteria for selecting either method i.e. Before 7 weeks), final choice to be given to the woman. Summary of Choice between Surgical or Medical abortion in India <= 7 weeks – Medical method or Surgical method 7-12 weeks – Surgical abortion 12 – 20 weeks – Medicines with or without surgical procedure in Hospital. Advantages of Medical Abortion Avoids surgery. Controlled by the woman and may take place at home. No need for admission to the Hospital. Usually well tolerated by women if properly counselled and motivated. No need to take leave from work, as bleeding can be manged with menstrual pads even while in office or at work. Disadvantages of Medical abortion Takes time (hours to days) to complete abortion, and the timing may not be predictable. Women experience bleeding and cramping, and potentially some other side-effects (nausea, vomiting, fever, and shivering). May require more clinic visits than surgical abortion. Advantages of Surgical Abortion Quick procedure. Complete abortion easily verified by evaluation of aspirated products of conception. Takes place in a Hospital so Sterilization or placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) may be performed at the same time as the procedure. It can be performed under local anaesthesia if woman is properly motivated and counselled. Disadvantages of Surgical abortion Requires instrumentation of the uterus. Small risk of uterine or cervical injury. Timing of abortion controlled by the Doctor and Hospital. Anaesthesia wneeds to be administered. Most doctors perform this procedure under short general anaesthesia. Woman needs to be in the Hospital for at least 6 hours. Effect of sedation will be there throuout the day.

7 people found this helpful

Medical Abortion With Tablets - Myths and Facts

Dr. Shiwani Agarwal 92% (786 ratings)

DNB (Obstetrics and Gynecology), MBBS

Gynaecologist, Mumbai

Medical abortion using tablets is the need of the hour especially for today's youngsters. Improper and inadequate knowledge about safe sex practices and contraception can create a lot of problems for the young couples. My sincere appeal to all young couples is not to feel shy and hesitant in approaching a doctor for advice on contraception as because nobody is going to be judgemental on them. It is a professional world and any doctor would be more than eager to help out a patient. Generally what happens is whenever there is a pregnancy happening out of a relationship, it puts the couple in a panic situation and there is a tendency to try and get over the counter medicines or maybe approach quacks or try and consume some so called food items which may lead to an abortion. These are the usual mistakes done by youngsters as they want to hastily get out of the mess without having to tell anybody. The biggest concern in approaching a known doctor is the couple does not want to get identified, secondly they feel the doctor is going to take them through a long drawn medical procedure which is going to be costly and they would probably be asked to come along with a parent or a guardian for obvious reasons and hence they refrain from meeting a doctor. Now coming to the facts----- 1. No need to panic if you realise that you have an unwanted pregnancy 2. Approach a gynecologist as soon as possible 3. If the doctor asks you get a sonography done please do so 4. You should always be knowing your blood group and hemoglobin levels before taking any tablets for abortion 5. Abortion can be very safely done with tablets under the guidance of a gynecologist and you do not need any hospitalisation. 2--3 visits to the clinic can complete the procedure 6. Only 1-2% patients may require a curettage of the uterus if the procedure does not get completed with tablets, which definitely the treating doctor would discuss with the couple and explain. 7. This medical abortion with tablets is not overtly expensive and is quite manageable with your pocket money (mobile phones are much more expensive). 8. There are no long term side effects of this procedure on your future fertility 9. Most of the doctors would be cooperative and would protect your privacy. You may have to sign a few forms for you should not hesitate as it is part of the procedure. 10. Nobody is going to be judgemental on you so take it easy and seek medical advice.

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I am 23 years old and I am 1 month pregnant I want to abort it .Please give me suggestion.

Dr. Priyanka Sapra 87% (18 ratings)

MBBS, DGO

Gynaecologist, Gurgaon

Ist do one usg to see intrauterine g g sac ,if 1st preg it is always advisable not to abort. Can meet registered medical practitioner for further m/m.

I have two children both deliveries are C-section. Now we both decide that now no more child and get an abortion. Is the abortion safe after two C-section?

Dr. Usha Subrahmanyam 88% (18 ratings)

MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, DGO

Gynaecologist, Pune

Yes if it is a surgical abortion in early pregnancy. If it is a medical abortion after 12 weeks, then due care has to be taken.

Hi sir, I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend he didn't ejaculate inside me though. I am so afraid and I am worried alot. Please tell me if I become pregnant. Is it possible to abort. And last month period was 07/04/18 . I am 20 years old.

Dr. Vandana Walvekar 93% (1781 ratings)

Gynaecologist, Mumbai

No evacuation inside reduces the chance of a pregnancy but cannot laminate it. Please wait for the period and get a test if delay is more than 7 days.

1 person found this helpful

Dear Sir my wife is pregnant but rubella igg is positive 10.40 and CMV igg is positive 12.41 and 3 month before a abortion naturally. Please tell me what rubella igg is effect pregnancy.

Dr. Gitanjali 97% (1644 ratings)

MS - Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Gynaecologist, Delhi

Igg+ve means your wife had infection in the past. Igm+ve means recent infection. Igg+ve will not effect the current Pregnancy, nothing to worry.

2 people found this helpful

I have done pregnancy test and it was positive and I have taken 2 meprate tab at a time what will happen can it help in abortion.

Dr. Gitanjali 97% (1644 ratings)

MS - Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Gynaecologist, Delhi

It will not have any effect on the pregnancy, tab meprate causes withdrawal bleeding only if you are not pregnant. If you do not want to continue this pregnancy consult a doctor and get medical or surgical abortion done.

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