Pregnancy termination: Is it safe?

The two modes of “Pregnancy termination” are induced abortion and miscarriage. The net outcome of pregnancy termination is death of the fetus and discontinuation of pregnancy but note that there is a vast difference between these two types of pregnancy termination. Miscarriages is unplanned and happens on the spur of the moment and results in accidental pregnancy termination. Miscarriage is a pregnancy termination manner wherein the fetus is not carried to full term and results in the death of the fetus. Most of the miscarriages take place during the first three weeks of pregnancy. Medical researches have seen that miscarriages account for nearly 15% of pregnancy termination. Severe vaginal bleeding and extensive abdominal cramps are common in miscarriage and this is the most common cause of pregnancy termination.

Pregnancy termination through abortion is undertaken mainly to avoid an unwanted child or if the fetus shows severe abnormalities and an abortion is suggested by the doctor. Pregnancy termination through abortion can be done surgically or through drug induced abortion. Drug induced abortion is a pregnancy termination mode and is possible only during the first seven weeks of pregnancy. Mifepristone or RU-486 are two drugs prescribed by the doctors for pregnancy termination through abortion. The surgical mode of pregnancy termination is faster and safer if done by experienced hands. This manner of pregnancy termination can be done within two visits to the doctor’s clinic and are not problematic for future pregnancies. But one negative point in this mode of pregnancy termination is it requires the facilities of a well equipped operation room and a recognized and experienced surgeon as well as gynecologist.

It is a known fact that nearly 46 million pregnancy termination happen in a year worldwide and only 26 million of this pregnancy termination is legal. The rate of pregnancy termination happening in the world today is really alarming. But this mode of pregnancy termination is not at all safe for the woman. Previously it was illegal to have a pregnancy termination in most of the countries but now owing to the advancement in medical research and technology if a fetus or embryo shows abnormalities, a pregnancy termination is suggested and it is completely legal now.

Pregnancy termination has been used since decades. In the backward countries, quacks still give herbal potions and other herbs to help in pregnancy termination. In ancient times people used traditional methods like sharpened tools to aide pregnancy termination. Pregnancy termination was really painful and dreaded. But now people are fortunate enough to have oral pills and surgical methods to aide pregnancy termination painlessly. There are still legal issues pending with the modes of pregnancy termination used in many countries.

Surgical techniques include dilation and evacuation of the uterus. This mode of pregnancy termination is practiced when the fetus is more than 20 weeks old and oral pills will not help the process of pregnancy termination. Abortion is a pregnancy termination that has courted public controversy and has become a political issue in many countries. Many social organizations are opposing pregnancy termination but it is still controversial.