Abortion has been a practice known since ancient days, various method has been used to perform an abortion including the administration of herbs, the use of sharpened implements, the application of abdominal pressure and other techniques. Woman confronted with an unwanted pregnancy have used abortion as a means to solve their dilemma.
Abortion is when a pregnancy is ended so that it does not result in the birth of a child or the expulsion of the fetus before it has reached the stage of a human being. Abortion may be performed based on reasons either to preserve the life and physical or mental well being of the person which might have resulted from a rape case, to prevent the birth of a child due to social or economical reasons. During this procedure it could leads to unsafe conditions that often result in terrible tragedy close to millions of women a year who die from unsafe abortion and numerous complications such as grave injuries, including infections, infertility. This hurt the woman and her families and even the whole community.
EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF ABORTION.
There is evidence of abortion leading to a decrease in both emotional and physical health of the well being. For some women, these negative emotions may be so strong and can appear within days or after many years. This psychological response is a form of post-traumatic stress disorder.
These are the possible symptoms that may arise from the negative impact associated with abortion;
Sexual dysfunction
Flashback of abortion
Spiritual consequences
Relationship problems
Guilt
Suicidal thoughts
Eating disorder
Alcohol and drug abuse.
SOME OF THE COMPLICATIONS OF ABORTION
Some of the pregnancy may remain in the womb
Excessive bleeding
There may be damage to the womb or entrance of the womb
Infection of the uterus
Uterine perforation is caused when the uterus is pierced by a sharp object
Damage to the genital tract or internal organs by inserting dangerous objects such as knitting needles, broken glass into the vagina.
TYPES AND RISKS OF ABORTION
The side effect of abortion varies depending on the type of abortion procedure. Some of the risks associated with abortion are :
1. Medical abortion - This is a process whereby the woman is given medicines without undergoing a surgical process.
Side effects of this type of abortion include;
Vomiting
Cramping
Swelling of face
Infection
Death
Heavy and prolonged bleeding
An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn't work.
2. Suction Aspiration - This method is usually done during the first trimester of pregnancy when the doctor dilates the cervix and suction out the baby. The uterine walls may be scraped to be sure everything is removed
The side effect of this abortion is:
Heavy bleeding
Injury to the bowel
Pelvic pain
Uterine damage
Cramping
3. Dilation and curettage (C&D) - This is also done in the first trimester the cervix is dilated and a loop-shaped knife is used to cut and remove the baby.
The side effects include:
Damage to the uterine
Blood loss
Heavy bleeding
Infection
Pelvic pain
4. Medical induction - This method involves the use of medicines to start labor and is used after 16 weeks of pregnancy. It can take several hours to several days for labor to complete.
The side effect of this procedures are:
Vomiting
Fever
Heavy bleeding
Diarrhea
Abortion leads to premature birth, which leads to serious health risks for the baby for those that survive, have a significant risk of serious disabilities, intellectual impairment, and psychological development.
It's led to the weakening of the cervix
Pelvic infection: due to germs or bacteria from the cervix or vagina that enters the uterus and causes infection, antibiotics may clear the infection but in severe cases surgery or hospitalization of the patient.
Cut or tear off the cervix. The opening of the cervix may be torn when it is stretched open to allow medical equipment to pass through and this may lead to leakage of the womb, whereby any sperm that is supposed to fertilize an egg will by leaking out when an egg will be fertile.
