At first abortion may appear to be the quickest and easiest way of solving your problem. Time needs to be taken to understand what an abortion operation involves for the mother. Anyone who is considering a medical or surgical procedure has a right to be fully informed about the nature of the procedure and the possible complications of the procedure. Whilst abortion is a common procedure it is not without risks to the mother. There may be physical complications including reaction to medication or anaesthetic, haemorrhage, infection, perforation of the uterus, danger to future fertility, cervical incompetence, later ectopic pregnancy, breast cancer, placenta previa, Rh sensitivity. Psychological effects can include grief and guilt, depression and/or post abortion grief.

It is also very important for the pregnant woman to understand her pregnancy and the development of the unborn baby. The unborn child in the first eight weeks of development is called an embryo and from then until birth the child is called a foetus. Both these are words for unborn offspring. Whether a woman is happily pregnant or not, an informed understanding of the baby’s development is important. Once an abortion is performed there is no going back and so it is very important to consider all these things carefully before making a decision.

Click here for more information about foetal development.

How Is Abortion Performed

The information below briefly covers the main methods of abortion and the possible complications. References are given for more detailed information.

Methods of abortion vary according to the stage of pregnancy, the size of the unborn child and the risk to the mother.

Abortions can be performed using medical or surgical procedures.

Medical abortions can be performed under 7 weeks of pregnancy.

The Morning After Pill is a high dose of the contraceptive pill that is taken within 72 hours of intercourse in the hope of delaying ovulation and therefore preventing conception taking place. Although a main aim of the Morning after Pill is to prevent a pregnancy occurring, if a pregnancy has occurred its action can result in an early abortion.

No studies have been done on the long term effects of the Morning After Pill on a woman. Some known risks can include nausea, blood clots and future ectopic pregnancies.

For more information see www.morningafterpill.org

Abortions can also be performed early in a pregnancy using RU486. This drug must be used under strict medical supervision and involves three visits to the clinic before the abortion is completed. (However in 5% - 10% of all cases, surgical abortion is necessary to complete the procedure.) RU486 blocks the hormones that maintain the development of the pregnancy, which causes the unborn baby to die. Prostoglandin is then used to cause the unborn baby to be delivered. Pelvic infections and excessive bleeding have been recorded after using RU486. Long term effects of the drug have not been sufficiently studied but there are reasons to believe that RU486 may affect future pregnancies, potentially inducing miscarriages or causing severe malformations in later children.

See www.ru486facts.org

Surgical abortions can be performed after 6 weeks of pregnancy.

The most common method used in the first 12 weeks (first trimester) of pregnancy is suction curettage. In this procedure, anaesthetic is administered and then the cervix (the opening to the uterus) is opened by inserting rods (dilators) of increasing size. A hollow tube with a knife-edged tip called a cannula, which is attached to a powerful vacuum, is then inserted into the uterus and the unborn child is broken apart and sucked down the tube. The abortionist may use a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to make sure the uterus is empty.

The dilation and evacuation (D&E) method is used between about the 12th week and the 16th week as the unborn child is now too large for the suction tubing. The day before the procedure laminaria (made of a seaweed substance) is inserted in the cervix to cause it to open. The next day anaesthetic is given and during the procedure forceps are used to dismember the body before removal.

After about the 17th week prostaglandins can be used to induce labour and delivery of the child. The prostaglandins may also cause the unborn baby distress and contribute to his or her death. In some cases the child may be delivered alive, in which case the child is usually left to die.

The dilation and extraction (D&X or Partial-Birth) method can be used on unborn babies over 20 weeks. The cervix is widely dilated. The baby is born feet first the abortionist then draws the unborn child from the birth canal until only the head is undelivered. The abortionist then inserts a sharp instrument into the base of the skull causing it to collapse. The unborn baby is then removed from the uterus.

All of the above procedures are performed under anaesthetic either local, local plus twilight or general anaesthetic and predominantly in private day clinics.

- Immediate Risks of Abortion -

See www.afterabortion.org/reasmor.html

Induced abortion carries a risk of several side effects. These risks include abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. No complete data about complications is compiled in Australia but the complications that have been recorded include the following.

Heavy Bleeding - Some bleeding after abortion is normal. However, there is a risk of hemorrhage, especially if the uterine artery is torn. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be required.

Infection - There is a risk that bacteria may get into the uterus from an incomplete abortion resulting in infection. A serious infection may lead to persistent fever over several days and extended hospitalization.

Incomplete Abortion - There is a risk that some fetal parts may not be removed by the abortion. Bleeding and infection may occur.

Allergic Reaction to Drugs -There is a risk of an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used during abortion surgery. These risks include convulsions, heart attack and, in extreme cases, death.

Tearing of the Cervix - There is a risk that the cervix may be cut or torn by abortion instruments.

Scarring of the Uterine Lining - There is a risk that suction tubing, curettes, and other abortion instruments may cause permanent scarring of the uterine lining.

Perforation of the Uterus

There is a risk that the uterus may be punctured or torn by abortion instruments. The risk of this complication increases with the length of the pregnancy. If this occurs, major surgery, including a hysterectomy, may be required.

Damage to Internal Organs

When the uterus is punctured or torn, there is also a risk that damage will occur to nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder.

Death

In extreme cases, there is a risk of other physical complications from abortion including excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage from a perforated uterus, and adverse reactions to anesthesia may lead to death. This complication is  rare but does occur.

What are some of the other risks of abortion?

Abortion may increase the risk of Breast Cancer

Medical experts are still researching and debating the linkage between abortion and breast cancer. However, a 1994 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found: "Among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those who had experienced an induced abortion was 50% higher than among other women."

Breast Cancer Prevention Institute: www.bcpinstitute.org

Abortion May Effect Risk Levels in Future Pregnancies

Scarring or other injury during an abortion may prevent or place at risk future wanted pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first pregnancy.

Abortion May Increase the Risk of Emotional Problems

Some women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this occurs within days and sometimes it happens after many years. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion grief. Several factors that increase the risk of Post-Abortion Grief include: the woman's age, the abortion circumstances, the stage of pregnancy at which the abortion occurs, and the woman's religious beliefs.

For some people, this is all new information.  If you would like to speak to someone about abortion or any other pregnancy related concern, we invite you to call our crisis line:

After Abortion

Women who have had an abortion can be prone to having another abortion, especially if the circumstances of the prior abortion have not changed.

Abortion Is A Difficult Decision To Make

The decision to have an abortion is never an easy one and is often made in a time of great stress. Many women report feeling "relief" following abortion, or at least perceive that stress has been reduced. Research has shown however, that 10-20% of women will experience negative psychological effects after abortion. Often feelings are mixed and seem to be contradictory, for example, many women have reported feeling "relief" as well as "sadness, loneliness, shame, guilt, grief, doubt and regret."

Abortion Is A Stressful Event

There are many different factors that contribute to the decision to have an abortion, these include but are not limited to the following:

All of the above reasons represent a lot of pressure on a woman who is experiencing pregnancy.

Abortion is a perinatal loss

It is often assumed that women will not experience grief and loss following abortion, because it is something that she has "chosen." We now know that it is not that simple. Feelings of grief after abortion can be very similar to feelings of grief experienced after miscarriage. However, women who experience negative feelings after abortion, also experience more feelings of shame, guilt and relief.

Healing after abortion is possible

If you are having mixed or troubled feelings about a past abortion, either recent or from many years ago, realise that you are not alone. There is a way forward, an opportunity to grieve and to heal. If you call our crisis phone line, you will be able to speak with one of our support workers who is willing to listen to your story and help you move forward towards the future with hope. Our support workers are also able to refer you on to other professionals who specialise in grief and loss if requested. This is a service available for men and women.
www.rachelsvineyard.org
www.abortionchangesyou.com

Questions

If you are considering ringing an abortion clinic to find out more information here are some questions you could ask:

If you are uncomfortable with any of their answers, you do not have to make the appointment. Check back in to our website for details about your nearest pregnancy support service to discuss your options. You do not have to make a hasty decision. We're here to help you.

• What is the name of the doctor who will be performing my abortion?
• If I experience complications what is the procedure for attending a hospital?
• Do you provide independent counselling so that I can discuss my options?
• Does this counselling cost money? How much?
• Do I have to pay any money up front before my counselling? How much?
• Can I change my mind at any time and get a full refund of any money paid?
• Will you provide an ultrasound?
• Does this cost extra?
• Will I be allowed to view the ultrasound if I choose to?
• Will you give me written information about any possible physical or emotional after effects of abortion?