What is Abortion?
Abortion is the
termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of a foetus or embryo from
the uterus before viability or the medical process of ending a pregnancy so
that it does not result in the birth of a baby.
termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of a foetus or embryo from
the uterus before viability or the medical process of ending a pregnancy so
that it does not result in the birth of a baby.
Methods of Abortion
a. Use of Abortion Pills: This includes the use of two medicine called Miferpriston and
Misoprostol (also known as Cytotec, Arthrotec). It is usually taken at or
before the 12th week of pregnancy. After these 12th weeks, there is
an increased risk of complications and which might need medical attention.
Misoprostol (also known as Cytotec, Arthrotec). It is usually taken at or
before the 12th week of pregnancy. After these 12th weeks, there is
an increased risk of complications and which might need medical attention.
b. Dilation and Curettage (D and C): Dilation and curettage is a surgical operation. The
cervix is dilated and the uterus is lightly scraped off with a curette. It is
done to remove small tumours. But D and C is now used as a means of abortion
among youth.
cervix is dilated and the uterus is lightly scraped off with a curette. It is
done to remove small tumours. But D and C is now used as a means of abortion
among youth.
Effects of Abortion in Youth
The consequences of
abortion can be classified into two broad categories;
abortion can be classified into two broad categories;
1.
The short term effects
The short term effects
2.
Long term effects
Long term effects
Short Term Effects
1. Bleeding: Acute bleeding with shock is the commonest complication. It result from
trauma of the procedure, sudden blood loss can lead to shock and death.
trauma of the procedure, sudden blood loss can lead to shock and death.
2. Tears: The
tools used to induce abortion can cause tears to the birth canal, cervix and
uterus.
tools used to induce abortion can cause tears to the birth canal, cervix and
uterus.
3. Septic Abortion: This means that the abortion can lead to contamination of the birth
canal and uterus by micro – organism. Septic abortion results when dirty
instruments are used to procure the abortion. The infections can spread to the
uterus, fallopian tube and the ovaries. It can also spread infections to other
body organs like the kidney and liver. Severe infection may lead to surgical
removal of the uterus. When the uterus is removed, it means that the patient
has no other chance of carrying a pregnancy.
canal and uterus by micro – organism. Septic abortion results when dirty
instruments are used to procure the abortion. The infections can spread to the
uterus, fallopian tube and the ovaries. It can also spread infections to other
body organs like the kidney and liver. Severe infection may lead to surgical
removal of the uterus. When the uterus is removed, it means that the patient
has no other chance of carrying a pregnancy.
Long Term Complications
These occur when the
short term complications are not adequately treated. They include;
short term complications are not adequately treated. They include;
1. Infertility: Due to blocked tubes/ovaries and removal of uterus.
2. Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy outside the uterus (womb) due to infections and blockage of
tubes. This is fatal and can lead to death.
tubes. This is fatal and can lead to death.
3. Recurrent Abortions: Crude instruments damage the uterus; hence the uterus is unable to carry
subsequent pregnancies to term. This causes spontaneous abortion before three
months.
subsequent pregnancies to term. This causes spontaneous abortion before three
months.
4. Psychological Effects: Most girls suffer from post – traumatic stress disorder and episodes of
depressions due to the guilt caused by abortion. The psychological effects are lifelong.
depressions due to the guilt caused by abortion. The psychological effects are lifelong.
Why Youth and Married Women Engage in Abortion
There are many
reasons for abortion;
reasons for abortion;
1.
Due to Rape: Some pregnancies result from rapes or incest and
victims of these assaults often seek abortion.
Due to Rape: Some pregnancies result from rapes or incest and
victims of these assaults often seek abortion.
2.
Some feel emotionally unprepared to enter into parenthood and raise a
child. They are too young or do not have a reliable partner with whom to raise
a child.
Some feel emotionally unprepared to enter into parenthood and raise a
child. They are too young or do not have a reliable partner with whom to raise
a child.
3.
The youth feel that having a baby will change their continuing of their
education or not, so most of them seek abortion.
The youth feel that having a baby will change their continuing of their
education or not, so most of them seek abortion.
4.
Youth/teenagers have access to abortion providers.
Youth/teenagers have access to abortion providers.
5.
Some youth cannot bear the lingering shame of getting pregnant.
Some youth cannot bear the lingering shame of getting pregnant.
6.
Some mothers say it was a mistake.
Some mothers say it was a mistake.
7.
Some said the last child is too young to have a junior one.
Some said the last child is too young to have a junior one.
8.
Some are afraid of the husband because he said he does not want to have
another child that if she mistakenly gets pregnant, she will bear the
responsibilities herself.
Some are afraid of the husband because he said he does not want to have
another child that if she mistakenly gets pregnant, she will bear the
responsibilities herself.
How to Prevent Abortion
One of the best ways
to prevent abortion is by sex education. Most people considering abortion are
poorly informed and unaware of foetal development.
to prevent abortion is by sex education. Most people considering abortion are
poorly informed and unaware of foetal development.
Preventing unwanted
pregnancies is always the best way to prevent abortion. Also in areas where
abstinence is taught and encouraged instead of contraceptive, the rate of infections,
AIDS and abortion are lower.
pregnancies is always the best way to prevent abortion. Also in areas where
abstinence is taught and encouraged instead of contraceptive, the rate of infections,
AIDS and abortion are lower.
Various Methods of Family Planning
1.
Pills
Pills
2.
Condoms (male and female)
Condoms (male and female)
3.
Withdrawal during sexual intercourse
Withdrawal during sexual intercourse
4.
Calendar
Calendar
5.
Tubal
Tubal
6.
Vasectomy
Vasectomy
7.
Implant
Implant
8.
IUCD – A contraceptive, a small coil of about 3 cm inserted by a doctor
in the womb (uterus) to prevent pregnancy.
IUCD – A contraceptive, a small coil of about 3 cm inserted by a doctor
in the womb (uterus) to prevent pregnancy.