ABORTION

Report by: Hannah Gabrielle Lledo and Jasmine Rivera

What is Abortion?

Abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. It uses medicine or surgery to remove embryo or fetus and placenta from the uterus. It is often called miscarriage.

Types of Abortion

InducedSpontaneous

Induced Abortion

It is also called as self-induced miscarriage. Induced abortion is an abortion performed by the pregnant women herself outside the recognized medical system. Most induced abortions are done in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Risks of this type of abortion: Incomplete abortion Infection Hemorrhage Damage to the uterus Death

Spontaneous AbortionSpontaneous abortion, also known as unintended miscarriage, is the unintentional expulsion of an embryo or fetus. It occurs in at least 15-20% of all recognized pregnancies and usually takes place before the 13th week of pregnancy.

Causes: Chromosome problems Drug and alcohol abuse Exposure to environmental

toxins Hormone problems Infection Obesity Physical problems with the

mother’s reproductive organs

Causes: Problem with the body’s

immune response Serious body-wide diseases in

the mother Smoking Trauma Stress

MethodsMedicalSurgical

Medical

The medical abortion method is also referred to as the “abortion pill” method. Medical abortion is an abortion caused by medicine rather than surgery. Two medications are used in medical abortions: methotrexate and misoprostol. It is only available in women who are less than 7 weeks pregnant.

MethotrexateMethotrexate tablets are taken by mouth or an injection of methotrexate is given by your doctor. Methotrexate interferes with the growth of the placenta, which allows it to separate from the endometrium. This is an unlabelled use of methotrexate.

Misoprostol

Misoprostol are taken by mouth or inserted vaginally, usually 5 to 7 days later. Some doctors may give misoprostol ducally (dissolved between the gums and cheek). This medicine causes uterine contractions so that your body passes the uterine contents. The pregnancy usually ends at home within a day or two when the tissue from the uterus is passed.

Side effects: Nausea Vomiting Fever Chills Haemorrhage Incomplete abortion Uterine or pelvic infection

Side effects: On-going intrauteine

pregnancy, requiring a surgical abortion for completion

Surgical

A surgical abortion also known as aspiration abortion, empties the contents of your uterus and is usually performed within 12-14 weeks from your last normal menstrual period.

Two types of surgical abortion:

Vacuum Aspiration Manual Vacuum Aspiration

(MVA) Electric Vacuum Aspiration

(EVA)

Dilation and Evacuation

Vacuum AspirationVacuum aspiration (also called suction curettage abortion) is the most common abortion procedure in the world. It falls under the broader banner of dilation and curettage (D&C), which can also be performed with a sharp curette. 

Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)

removes the fetus/embryo by suction using a manual syringe

Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA) which uses an electric pump to

remove the fetus/embryo. 

Dilation and Evacuation Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is done in the second

12 weeks (second trimester) of pregnancy. It usually includes a combination of vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C), and the use of surgical instruments (such as forceps).

An ultrasound is done before a D&E to determine the size of the uterus and the number of weeks of the pregnancy.

A device called a cervical (osmotic) dilator is often inserted in the cervix 24 hours before the procedure to help slowly open (dilate) the cervix. Dilating the cervix reduces the risk of any injury to the cervix during the procedure. Misoprostol may also be given several hours before surgery. This medicine can help soften

the cervix.

Why the procedure is performed? The baby has a birth defect or

genetic problem. Your pregnancy is harmful to

your health. The pregnancy resulted after a

traumatic event such as rape or incest.

Risks: Damage to the womb or cervix Uterine perforation Excessive bleeding Infection of the uterus or

fallopian tubes Scarring of the inside of the

uterus Reaction to the medicines or

anesthesia

Risks: Not removing all of the tissue,

with the need for another procedure

Further Possible Complications include:

urinary tract infections (UTI) cervical trauma peritonitis endometritis salpingitis renal trauma pelvic inflammation embolism sterility

Motivation Personal Societal Maternal and fetal health Cancer

Society and Culture Abortion debate

Abortion-rights movement Modern abortion law Sex-selective abortion Anti-abortion violence

PROS Safe & Low Risk Minimizes Illegal Abortion Risks Abortion is Non-Cancerous Minimizes Unwanted Children Abuse Financial & Success Stability Limiting Life-Threatening Suffering Fetus is Not a Separate Entity Population Control

CONS

High Abortion Costs State Limitations & Restrictions Religious Influence Effect on Children Adoption Effect on Contraceptive Use Effect on Relationships Psychological Stress Future Contributions

Abortion in the Philippines

470,000 induced abortions were performed in the Philippines in 2000

Researchers have shown that 90% of the women who have abortions are Catholic and that 70% have some high school education

Abortion in the Philippines

Metro Manila has the highest rate at 53 per 1,000 women.

Luzon has a rate of 2 per 1,000 women, while Visayas and Mindanao have a similar rate of 18 per 1,000 women.

800-1,000 women die because of abortion complications.