What is Abortion?
An abortion involves using surgery or taking medicines to end a pregnancy. It’s also sometimes referred to as termination of pregnancy, per MedlinePlus. right-up arrow. According to Planned Parenthood, about 1 in every 4 women in the United States will have an abortion by the time they’re 45 years old.
right up arrow. The decision to have an abortion is extremely personal. It’s a good idea to seek counseling if you’re considering terminating your pregnancy, so you can learn about all the risks, benefits, and possible alternatives notes Mayo Clinic. right arrow.
Abortion Prices In South Africa
Discussion. Although offered for free in the public sector, women incurred costs while accessing second-trimester abortion services. The median total cost for obtaining a second-trimester abortion, considering all participants, was (R144. 00).
What Are the Types of Abortion?
There are different ways to perform an abortion. Your doctor might recommend a type based on your personal choices, how far along you are in your pregnancy, or other circumstances note UCSF Health.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion involves taking medications to end your pregnancy.
This type of abortion is typically only an option up until 11 weeks from your last menstrual period, per Planned Parenthood.
However, some insurance companies won’t cover a medical abortion after seven weeks of pregnancy, notes UCSF.
Medical abortion is about 95 percent effective at helping a woman completely pass the pregnancy without surgery.
The most common medications given for a medical abortion are mifepristone (Mifeprex, RU-486) and misoprostol (Cytotec). Mifepristone blocks the action of the hormone progesterone, which is important for pregnancy. Misoprostol prompts the uterus to contract and empty.
A doctor or nurse will give you these medicines at a health clinic. You may take them at the facility or at home, depending on your state laws and your provider’s policies
You will need to see your doctor at least two times: once before taking the medicines and once after you’ve completed the treatment to confirm that the abortion worked.
Medical abortions can take up to 24 hours to complete.
Medical abortion is different than emergency contraception, which is known as the “morning after pill.” Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy, while a medical abortion is used to terminate a pregnancy.
Surgical Abortion
A surgical abortion, or an “in-clinic abortion,” is a procedure that’s done to remove the pregnancy tissue from a woman’s womb (uterus), per MedlinePlus.
According to Planned Parenthood, the two types of surgical abortions are:
- Suction Abortion (Vacuum Aspiration) With this technique, gentle suction is used to empty the uterus. A suction abortion can be performed until about 14 to 16 weeks after your last period. This is the most common type of in-clinic abortion.
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) Abortion A D&E involves using suction and surgical instruments to empty a woman’s uterus. Doctors may recommend this type of procedure if it’s been 16 weeks or longer since your last period.
Most in-clinic abortion procedures take about 5 to 10 minutes.
Surgical abortions are usually very successful. According to Planned Parenthood, they work more than 99 out of every 100 times.
Late-Term Abortion
Late-term abortion is a nonmedical term that refers to abortions occurring at or after 21 weeks of pregnancy, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Late-term abortions are uncommon, accounting for only about 1 percent of abortions in the South African States.
Sometimes, intact dilation and evacuation (D&E), otherwise called dilation and extraction (D&X), is performed if the abortion occurs late in pregnancy. It involves removing the fetus intact from a woman’s body. This rarely used method has been referred to as “partial-birth abortion,” but this is another nonmedical term and many medical professionals oppose this language.
The SA Partial-Birth Abortion Act of 2003 blocks the use of intact dilation and evacuation for most cases of pregnancy termination in the United States, except when a mother’s life is at risk.
Why Is an Abortion Performed?
The reasons for having an abortion vary, but women might choose this option if:
- They no longer want to be pregnant
- They have a medical condition that makes pregnancy life-threatening
- The fetus has a serious medical condition
In a study published in 2013 in the medical journal BMC Women’s Health, researchers analyzed a sample of 954 women from 30 abortion facilities across the SOUTH AFRICAN STATE They found that women cited many reasons for choosing abortion, including the following:
Not being financially prepared
Bad timing
Partner-related issues
The desire to focus on other children
Concern that the pregnancy would interfere with future opportunities
Not being emotionally prepared
Health-related reasons
Believing the baby deserved a better life
Not being independent or mature enough
Influences from family or friends
Not wanting to place the baby for adoption
Most of the women studied reported multiple reasons for choosing to terminate their pregnancy. The authors of the paper concluded that a woman’s decision to seek an abortion is influenced by various factors, such as age, health, socioeconomic status, parity, and marital status.
What Are the Complications and Risks of an Abortion?
Abortions are generally considered safe, with very few lasting risks.
Studies show that early abortions without complications do not affect a woman’s future fertility.
Additionally, having an abortion won’t cause pregnancy issues such as birth defects, miscarriage, premature birth, ectopic pregnancy, or infant death down the road, notes Planned Parenthood.
The short-term complications you might experience will depend on the type of abortion you have.
Medical Abortion Risks
Some short-term complications of a medical abortion include:
- Infection
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- An incomplete or unsuccessful abortion (which means you may need to have a surgical abortion)
Between 3 and 5 percent of women will need to have a surgical abortion because of persistent or excessive bleeding, continued pregnancy, or their own preferences.
Surgical Abortion Risks
Rare complications of a surgical abortion may include:
- Very heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Pregnancy tissue left in your uterus
- Injury to your cervix, uterus, or other organs
- An allergic reaction to medications
Additionally, there’s a small chance the abortion won’t work, and your pregnancy doesn’t end. You might need another procedure if this happens, notes Planned Parenthood.
How to Prepare for an Abortion
Before a medical or surgical abortion, your doctor may perform a urine test, a physical exam, or a blood test. Additionally, you may need to have an ultrasound to confirm how far along you are in your pregnancy and to rule out ectopic pregnancy.
Your healthcare provider will explain how the medicines or procedure will work, the side effects, and the risks.
If you’re having a surgical abortion, you might need the following before your procedure, according to UCSF Health:
Oral pain medicines, such as Vicodin, Valium, and ibuprofen
Medicines to soften your cervix, such as misoprostol
Dilating sticks that are placed in your cervices, such as laminaria or Dilapan
Antibiotics to help prevent infections
Sedation drugs
The medicines you require and when you receive them will depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy and the type of abortion you’re having, notes UCSF Health.
If you take Vicodin, Valium, or other sedation medicines, you’ll need to arrange for someone to take you home from the clinic.
Finding a Doctor and Clinic
You should know that doctors aren’t required to perform elective abortions, and different states have certain legal requirements, waiting periods, or age restrictions when it comes to abortions. These laws might make it challenging to find a provider or clinic.
Planned Parenthood offers resources for finding clinics and health centers in your area.