Abortion

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By peace | May 26, 2007

Some people see pregnancy as a voluntary act; they believe that a woman should decide whether to allow a baby to grow inside her. Others see women as the temporary containers of new human beings whose rights must be preserved above hers. But for each pregnant woman faced with an unexpected pregnancy, the dilemma is a new and deeply personal one, because a woman is not merely giving her body to another, she is considering the whole of her life and the life of her potential child. It is not a decision to be made lightly, nor is there evidence that it is ever taken lightly.

Abortion has been practised everywhere throughout the ages, often as a primary method of birth control. Until very recently, illegal, and often insanitary, methods of abortion were a major cause of deaths, among women of childbearing age. Today, where abortion is practised legally, it can be obtained relatively easily in a medical setting in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Methods of Abortion
1. Mifepristone with Prostaglandin
This method can be used in the first nine weeks of pregnancy. It involves taking two separat doses of the drugs which, after a few hours, induce contractions and empty the uterus. This may cause nausea, vomiting and pain. Some women find this method very unpleasant.

2. Vacuum Aspiration
This method is used during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It involves gently opening the entrance to the uterus and removing the contents, under local or general anaesthetic, through a tube by vacuum suction. Women may experience some of the following side effects:

If the uterus is not opened gently, it can be painful under local anaesthetic.
There is a risk of infection if the womb is not entirely empty, or instruments are not properly sterilized, or there was a pre-existing infection in the vagina that is transferred to the uterus. Signs of infection can include a rise in temperature or an unusual odour and should be reported to a doctor immediately for treatment with antibiotics.

3. Late Abortion
After the first 12 to 14 weeks, abortion can be performed either by dilation and evacuation (D& E), which involves dilation of the uterus under general anaesthetic and surgical removal of the foetus, or by chemically inducing labour using prostaglandin. Late abortions are rarely necessary when early abortion is easily accessible, except in the case of a foetal abnormality. Again, there are some side effects:

D & E involves a risk of infection, of damage to the cervix and of accidental perforation of the uterus. Any of these consequences could affect future pregnancies.