No one who conceives a pregnancy expects to have to end it – terminate it – for medical reasons, or for a normally happy event to become one of sadness. The decision to terminate or to continue with a pregnancy can be a very difficult time for both of the parents.
Before any process of termination of pregnancy, one should receive a thorough consultation with the gynaecologist for –
- Counselling – Gynaecologist will answer all your medical, procedural and emotional enquiries.
- Examination – A routine check up to ensure that women is healthy enough to undergo an abortion
- Ultrasound scan – To find out stage of pregnant (weeks of pregnancy).
For uninvited pregnancy or pregnancy complications, based on stage of pregnancy there are different types. They are –
MEDICAL ABORTION
This is for women seeking abortion in early pregnancy. In medical abortion, use of a medicine or combination of medicines causes the pregnancy to terminate and the uterus to expel the products of conception. There are three steps:
Step 1 – The abortion pill will be given at the clinic or hospital after the proper consent from the couple.
Step 2 – Medical Professional will give instructions on how and when to take the second medicine. One need to take Second medicine 24 – 48 hours after the abortion pill. It causes the uterus to empty. This will cause cramps and heavy bleeding as large blood clots or tissues for few hours.
More than half of women abort within four or five hours after taking the second medicine. But most women abort within a few days.
Step 3 – One will need to follow up within two weeks with the gynaecologist. Follow-up is important to make sure abortion is complete and that one is well, this will need an ultrasound or blood test.
SURGICAL ABORTION
SUCTION ASPIRATION / DILATION & EVACUATION (D&E) –
This can be done under local or general anaesthesia. The cervix is first dilated and antibiotics are given to prevent infection. A hollow tube attached to a pump is then passed into the uterus. When the pump is turned on, suction from the device removes pregnancy tissue from the uterus.