If you find yourself unexpectedly pregnant, it can feel like your life is turned upside down. You may feel like you have no choice but to terminate the pregnancy. However, it is important to remember that this is a very personal decision, and you should take the time to consider all of your options before making a final decision. Having accurate and up-to-date information on pregnancy termination can help you make a more informed decision. No one ever said that making the decision to abort a pregnancy was going to be an easy one. In fact, it’s probably one of the hardest decisions that a person will ever have to make in their lifetime. There are a lot of factors involved in abortion, and it’s important to be as informed as possible before making a decision. The following is some basic information about abortion that will hopefully help you through this tough time.
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According to recent studies, one in three women will choose to terminate a pregnancy at some point. There are two main options available to someone in this situation: medical or surgical procedures. However, as the pregnancy progresses, the risks associated with abortion also increase. The risks and expenses are minimal when a woman chooses to terminate her pregnancy within the first few weeks.
Surgical termination
Surgical termination, otherwise known as vacuum aspiration, is a popular method for ending a pregnancy. First, the patient will have an in-depth medical examination and ultrasound tests to determine their physical condition. This is one of the safest, risk-free and painless ways to terminate a pregnancy and can be done up to 12 weeks along, or in some cases even at a later stage. Laminaria is inserted into the cervix under the procedure in order to ease opening of the uterus and remove the foetus. The operation can take a few minutes to a few hours, depending on individual cases. Sedation is not necessary as it is a relatively painless procedure. However, mild twilight sedation can be administered at the patients’ preference. There are no side effects involved, other than bleeding for few days and menstrual cramps.
Chemical abortion
A woman can also terminate pregnancy with the help of abortion pills. This is a non-invasive way of terminating pregnancy and most people opt for this as it can be done at home without having to visit the hospital. After a full physical examination, a woman is prescribed the medications that will prevent embryonic cells from multiplying. A woman will have to visit a healthcare professional a few days after taking the pills to verify if the termination is completed successfully. A doctor might also suggest antibiotics to prevent infection. In rare cases, patients might experience side effects from pills that include vomiting, nausea, heavy bleeding, and intense cramping.
Dilation and evacuation
In the late trimester, pregnancy can be terminated through dilation or evacuation method. While these procedures are far more risky and complicated than other means available to abort pregnancy, they may be necessary in certain cases. Under the procedure, sedation is applied, and using medical instrument the cervix is dilated and using a vacuum pump the content of the uterus is removed.
