Probably, there is no such woman who at least once did not think about the consequences of an abortion. And all because the reasons why a potential mother can resort to artificial termination of pregnancy are actually a huge number. But before deciding on such a serious and even dangerous step, it is worth weighing all the pros and cons, taking into account the possible complications of abortion.
What does it mean for a woman
Few would disagree that pregnancy is a truly joyful, unique event in the life of every woman. Many women believe that there is nothing more beautiful than just feeling the delights of motherhood, holding your baby by the hands and enjoying his smile. But due to certain circumstances, women often decide to terminate a pregnancy.
Abortion is a frightening word for most girls that means killing a child. Despite the fact that doctors call such a miniature creature a fetus or an embryo, for any woman it is a defenseless, tiny person who also wants to live and enjoy. But be that as it may, in our country abortion -a fairly common phenomenon. And this can be explained by a number of reasons that actually push a woman to this terrible step:
- material;
- social;
- medical indicators.
Often the reason lies in the concept of the woman herself, for whom true happiness lies not at all in motherhood, but in a successful career or we alth.
But be that as it may, a woman who decides to terminate a pregnancy should be clearly aware that this is an extremely serious, important and dangerous step in her life. Due to certain physiological characteristics, the female body will always remember the injury. But the woman herself will try in every possible way to forget about it. According to numerous studies, girls who have had an abortion very often cannot cope with the emotional and psychological problem on their own. As a result, many troubles arise in their lives:
- permanent, never ending memories of surgery;
- psychic experiences, self-flagellation;
- insomnia;
- outbursts of anger, increased nervousness and irritability;
- sexual deviations;
- protracted depression, suicidal thoughts.
In gynecology, abortion is called artificial termination of pregnancy from 4 to 28 weeks. According to medical indicators, abortion can be late and early. The latter is carried out up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Late abortion can be done up to 28 weeks.
There are several types of abortion thatare selected taking into account the characteristics of the organism, the duration of pregnancy, the age of the woman. Sometimes abortion occurs without the desire of the woman herself. Obstetricians call this phenomenon spontaneous abortion. True, just a few years ago, many women deliberately resorted to this method of terminating a pregnancy, using improvised means for this.
What you need to know about spontaneous abortion
People have another name for this phenomenon - a miscarriage. Spontaneous abortion occurs without the participation of the woman herself and the intervention of doctors. According to statistics, miscarriage occurs in about 15% of the fairer sex.
There are a huge number of reasons why a spontaneous abortion can happen. The most common triggers for miscarriage are:
non-infectious and infectious internal diseases, e.g. tuberculosis, pneumonia, rubella, influenza;
- cardiovascular disease;
- liver and kidney disease;
- whole body intoxication;
- STDs;
- autoimmune problems;
- hereditary factor;
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- avitaminosis, most often E and A;
- oncological tumors;
- incompatibility of the blood of the fetus and mother;
- chromosomal abnormalities.
Any pathology and disorders in the mother's body can become the cause of spontaneous abortion. Often there is infection of the fetus, as a result of which it freezes, hypoxia develops, deviations in development, formation and growth - allthis may lead to a miscarriage. That is why doctors advise both men and women to undergo a complete examination before conceiving a child.
Spontaneous abortion can happen at any gestation period. It is characterized by the appearance of certain symptoms:
- blood discharge from the vagina;
- aching sharp pains in the lumbar region and lower abdomen.
When these signs appear, a woman needs immediate hospitalization. If you see a doctor in time, you can even save the baby. If a woman has copious discharge of blood with clots, it is unrealistic to continue the pregnancy.
In addition, a woman may face various complications of spontaneous abortion, which may be early or late:
- the emergence of gynecological pathologies, for example, inflammation of the uterus, endometritis;
- prolonged bleeding;
- frequent miscarriages;
- getting into the genitourinary system of infections;
- deviations in the work of the ovaries;
- lack of menses.
But even if there are no negative consequences after a miscarriage, the female body needs some time to recover.
True, the incidence of complications after spontaneous abortion is much less than with artificial termination of pregnancy. Approximately 15-20% of women experience the negative consequences of a miscarriage. Often, after a spontaneous abortion, it is still possible to conceive and bear a he althy child. If there are several miscarriages in the anamnesis of the expectant mother, she shouldconstantly be under the supervision of doctors.
Unlike spontaneous abortion, artificial termination of pregnancy is performed only at the request of the woman or if there are specific medical conditions.
Types of induced abortions
Main indications for surgery:
- the desire of the woman herself;
- the presence of intrauterine pathologies in the development of the fetus;
- medical indicators that can lead to the death of a child or mother.
Before having an abortion, a woman must undergo a comprehensive examination.
The procedure itself can be done in many ways. There are several types of abortion:
- vacuum;
- drug;
- surgical.
Vacuum abortion
This procedure can be performed up to the 5th week of pregnancy. The vacuum technique is considered the most gentle and significantly reduces the risk of complications. Medical abortion is performed using a special device - a vacuum, which makes it possible to completely remove the ovum from the uterus.
But such a procedure is forbidden:
- if the gestational age is more than 5 weeks;
- if less than 6 weeks have passed since the last abortion;
- if there is a purulent infection in the genitourinary system;
- if inflammatory pathologies of the pelvic organs are detected;
- an acute infectious disease occurs in the body.
Vacuum abortion is carried out in stationary conditions underlocal anesthesia. A special catheter is inserted through the cervix, which exerts negative pressure in the uterine cavity. As a result of such exposure, the fetal egg comes off the wall of the mucous membrane.
The use of a vacuum catheter reduces the risk of injury and complications of abortion. In addition, the likelihood of infection entering the cavity is significantly reduced. The procedure lasts approximately 10-15 minutes.
What are the complications after an abortion using a vacuum
Despite the minimal risk of negative consequences, in some cases some problems do arise.
- Partial removal of the ovum. In such a situation, a woman needs additional surgical intervention. You can prevent the development of such a complication of abortion if you immediately undergo an ultrasound after the operation.
- Hormonal failures. Almost always, they appear as menstrual irregularities.
Complications of medical abortion with a vacuum are not very common, but a woman should take all possible measures to prevent them.
Surgical abortion
This abortion can be performed between 6 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. Surgical abortion may be ordered for certain medical conditions or in cases where a woman is determined not to have a baby. Curettage is carried out exclusively in stationary conditions.
During an abortion, the cervix is opened withspecial devices, and then the fetal egg and partially the mucous membrane are scraped out of the uterine cavity. The placenta is removed with a sharp spoon.
Surgical abortion can cause many negative consequences, including infertility.
What is the risk of scraping
During the procedure, too sharp devices are used, which significantly increases the risk of injury to the uterus. The most common complication of surgical abortion is heavy bleeding. In more difficult situations, even a fatal outcome is not ruled out.
The qualifications and skills of the gynecologist performing the procedure are important.
Late complications of medical abortion by curettage include prolonged abnormal bleeding and severe pain in the lower abdomen. In some cases, these symptoms may indicate the remnants of the ovum in the uterus. In this case, the only way out for a woman is a second operation, which significantly increases the risk of infertility.
Complications of abortion may appear during the procedure, immediately after it, or even several months later.
Medicated abortion
This abortion is possible up to 8 weeks of pregnancy. This procedure is allowed only in the absence of complications. Medical abortion eliminates surgery and anesthesia.
During the procedure, a special preparation is used -"Mifepristone". This remedy lowers the influence of progesterone, which is responsible for the course of pregnancy. Mifepristone is used in combination with prostaglandins that increase uterine contractions. Such an effect on the female body makes it possible to reject the attached fetal egg.
Before the procedure, in order to avoid various complications of abortion and prevent infertility, a woman must undergo a comprehensive examination. This is necessary to determine the woman's he alth status, the absence or presence of various pathologies and the exact gestational age.
"Mifepristone" cannot be easily bought in a pharmacy, the drug is used exclusively under the supervision of a doctor.
After taking the pills, after just 1-2 days, the woman begins to bleed, which indicates the rejection of the ovum by the mucous membrane. After the embryo is removed from the uterine cavity, the patient should undergo an ultrasound scan. It is necessary in order to make sure that there are no remnants of the ovum.
Complications after medical abortion
Quite often, after bleeding, a woman's body temperature rises, fever, chills, nausea, dizziness, and he alth deteriorates. In such a situation, you should immediately consult a doctor, or even better, call an ambulance. Complications of medical abortion often necessitate surgery.
But despite the high risk of developing negative consequences, medical abortion is considered less traumatic than curettage. Complications of induced abortion can be prevented by carrying out the procedure in the early stages. Indeed, during this period, there are no serious changes in the woman's body yet.
Later-term abortion
In addition to the described methods of abortion, there are also those that are shown in the later stages. This is an intra-amniotic fluid injection. Doctors rarely resort to this procedure. Such an abortion can be carried out for a period of 18-27 weeks.
During the operation, the gynecologist dilates the cervix, inserts a thick long needle into it and pierces the amniotic sac. With the help of this needle, amniotic fluid is removed from the cavity, after which a special solution is introduced into it, consisting of glucose and s alt concentrate. As a result of the operation, the child dies. Hours later, doctors induce an artificial birth or perform a caesarean section.
After scraping the fetus from the uterus, the anterior abdominal wall is incised to remove the remnants of the fetal egg and all surrounding tissues. Such an abortion is performed only in extreme cases and only with pronounced medical indications.
Consequences of interference
What complications of abortion can overtake a woman? After the procedure, severe bleeding, the addition of a bacterial infection, or even infertility may develop. A possible complication of abortion is also considered fatal. However, this applies to cases wherea woman does not seek medical help for a long time.
Early and late complications of the procedure
The risk of negative consequences largely depends on the duration of pregnancy, the age of the woman and the number of abortions. Physicians conditionally subdivide probable complications into several categories: early, late and remote. They all appear at different times.
- Early complications of abortion are the most common. They appear during the procedure or within a week after it.
- Perforation of the uterus. Cavity puncture is considered one of the most dangerous complications of abortion. Usually, perforation occurs during curettage, but it is not excluded during vacuum termination of pregnancy. This situation is considered an emergency and requires an urgent laparotomy.
- Incomplete abortion. In this case, the remnants of the fetal egg or placenta remain in the uterine cavity. It manifests itself in the form of severe bleeding, acute pain and secondary infection. Requires repeated scraping.
- Hematometer. This is the accumulation of blood clots in the uterus due to its poor contractility. At the same time, the woman has pain in the lower abdomen, a feeling of fullness and no discharge.
- Rupture of the cervix. Women face such a complication during curettage. Because of this, ectropion appears in the future, which leads to infertility.
Late abortion complications are considered less common.
- Inflammation of the genitals. Due to the lack of sterility, neglect of hygiene rules, the presence of foci of infectionafter an abortion, an inflammatory process may develop. The uterus is affected first, which manifests itself in the form of pulling pains and pathological discharge. If there is no treatment, the inflammation spreads to the fallopian tubes and the pelvic area.
- Placental polyp. This is a small area of the placenta in the uterus. Gradually, the polyp becomes overgrown with connective tissue and is firmly attached to the wall. As a result, the woman has spotting. In this case, repeated scraping is required.
Sometimes a woman develops long-term complications after an abortion.
Irregularities in the menstrual cycle
- Cervical insufficiency, cervical erosion.
- Complications in the course of pregnancy in the future - developmental delay, hypoxia in the fetus.
- Endometrial hyperplasia, development of endometriosis, uterine fibroids.
- Infertility. It appears against the background of obstruction of the tubes, adhesions and scars in the uterine cavity.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
Conclusion
As you can see, regardless of the method of abortion, a woman exposes her body to a number of serious and very dangerous consequences. They can relate to both the physiological state and the emotional state. According to statistics, even after an abortion without complications, more than 7% of women cannot conceive, bear and give birth to a he althy child.
So before you decide on such a dangerous procedure, you should definitely think carefully and carefully weigh the pros and cons. Keep in mind that without complications, abortion proceeds quitestill rare. Much more often, a woman is faced with a number of consequences during the procedure or immediately after it.
