Undergoing an abortion is a very personal and extremely big decision to take. To end a pregnancy before the fetus can live independently is abortion. This decision should never be taken in haste. All the repercussions must be taken into consideration. The emotions in the present condition and also the future must be taken into account. One can resort to counseling if required or always talk to someone in the family. Alternatives should be considered before taking this step.

Options of Ending Pregnancy Without Surgical Abortion

Different methods may be used to terminate a pregnancy depending on the age of the fetus and health condition of the woman. In certain conditions, surgery may not be an option and other methods would be resorted to for the abortion. In such scenarios, medical or chemical abortions are performed.

1. Medical Method of Ending Pregnancy Without Surgical Abortion

This is a type of abortion when specific medications are used with the intention of aborting the fetus. The commonly used drugs are Mifepristone and Methotrexate. Mifepristone interferes with Progesterone and thus destroys the fetus, whereas Methotrexate is a toxic chemical which attacks the cells of the fetus, aborting it. In both cases, Misoprostol is given to induce labor and deliver the dead fetus.

The other medical methods are using saline water and Prostaglandins. Salt water is injected in the womb which damages and ultimately kills the fetus by salt poisoning and dehydration. Prostaglandin use involves injecting hormones in the uterus which cause premature labor and death of the fetus. Both of these methods are used in the second or third trimester.

Do not choose a medical abortion if you:

  • are pregnant over 8 weeks.
  • are over 35 years of age and smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day.
  • have heart, liver or kidney disorders.
  • have an IUD which will not be removed.
  • are taking any anti-coagulants or have a hemorrhagic disease.
  • suffer from high blood pressure.
  • are taking any medicine which cannot be taken along with the abortion pills.
  • have seizures or active inflammatory bowel disease.

2. Chemical Way of Ending Pregnancy Without Surgical Abortion

In this method, the implantation of the zygote to the uterine wall is prevented. Drugs in combination with devices are used in this type of abortion. Some of the more popular methods are the Ortho-Evra birth control patch, the Nuva Ring–vaginal ring, Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection and Plan B.

Most of these act in one of the following ways-suppress the gonadotropins which inhibit ovulation, change the lining of the uterus which stops the implantation, causes changes in the cervical mucus which does not allow the sperm to reach the uterus and causes thinning of the uterus lining.

Do not choose chemical abortion if you fit in any of the mentioned categories above. Also, since these are mostly birth control methods, they will cause problems if you have conceived. They are definitely not meant to be taken when you are planning to conceive or are already pregnant.

Some other conditions in which you cannot use this method are if you have breast cancer, vaginal bleeding and migraines, or are already recovering from miscarriage or abortion, etc.

Things You Need to Know After Ending Pregnancy

It is very important to follow the precautions after an abortion. Ensure that the doctor is notified if you have very heavy bleeding, if the pain killers do not relieve the pain, if you have high fever and if you have foul smelling discharge from the vagina.

You should also inform the doctor if you have not bled at all after the second tablet and are still having pregnancy symptoms. Also, if you do not get your regular periods 6 weeks after the abortion, inform your physician.

1. Care Afterwards

It is very important to follow the precautions after an abortion.

  • Do not insert anything in the vagina (tampons, douche) for at least 2 weeks after the abortion.
  • Get a follow-up visit with the doctor to ensure the abortion was complete.
  • Do not have sex for 1 to 2 weeks after the abortion and use birth control after discussion with your doctor.

2. When to Call a Doctor

You should call a doctor right away in these following situations:

  • you have very heavy bleeding.
  • the pain killers do not relieve the pain.
  • you have high fever and if you have foul smelling discharge from the vagina.
  • you have not bled at all after the second tablet and are still having pregnancy symptoms.
  • you do not get your regular periods 6 weeks after the abortion.

Things You Should Know about Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion is a type of abortion when the procedure to terminate the pregnancy is carried by the doctors under local or general anesthesia. These can be done for women with any type of health condition. They are invasive methods and are usually done when the pregnancy has advanced.

The most commonly used methods are MVA (manual vacuum aspiration) and D&C (Dilation &Curettage). In both the methods, the cervix is dilated and then the uterus is emptied. It is usually 100% effective.

The reasons for having an abortion can vary from not being ready to become a parent to not being able to afford a baby, from health problem in the fetus, being a victim of rape to not desiring any more children. All the options should be checked before deciding to take any form of abortion. Sometimes due to contra-indications, surgical abortion is the only option available to women.

One should undergo a surgical abortion when they have weighed all the options carefully and are sure that other methods would not work well for them.