All about Termination of Pregnancy and its treatment
Overview
Pregnancy is a joyful phase in a woman’s life. She and her partner have a lot to look forward to in this phase and therefore expect to complete the pregnancy to term. Sometimes, the pregnancy might end on its own, which is termed a miscarriage. At other times, however, the woman makes the decision to terminate the pregnancy for various reasons.
A woman can decide to end a pregnancy for several reasons such as the presence of health issues that may affect the pregnancy.
On the other hand, a woman may decide to terminate a pregnancy on non-medical grounds in which case it is elective abortion. Induced abortion can be either medical or surgical. Medical abortion entails the use of medication to terminate the pregnancy, while surgical abortion involves a surgical procedure.
Termination of pregnancy usually takes place in the first 24 weeks after conception. It should only be performed by qualified doctors. This should take place in a licensed clinic or healthcare facility. Most women who wish to terminate a pregnancy will be allowed to go home on the same day and will need follow-up consultation on appointed dates.
You will need to consult with your partner over such an important decision. While you may still have the final say on the matter, a mutual decision means you have support. Your family can also provide a reliable support system if you decide to terminate a pregnancy. Therefore, make it a point to also consult with them. You will also receive counseling services from your healthcare provider so that you can make an informed decision. It is important that you take your time and avoid rushing before making such a life-changing decision. Once your mind is finally made up, do not delay too much as the procedure is safer and simpler if performed at an early stage.
Before termination of pregnancy
It is important that you have an appointment with your doctor before the termination of pregnancy. The appointment can take place at the doctor’s office. Alternatively, the doctor can arrange a video or phone call to conduct the assessment.
During the assessment:
- You will have an opportunity to explore the reasons why you wish to terminate the pregnancy with your doctor
- You get to interact with a trained counselor so that you can make a more informed decision
- Your doctor or nurse will take you through the various methods of terminating a pregnancy. This includes risks associated with each of those methods and complications
- Your doctor may order an ultrasound scan to determine how long you have been pregnant
- You will be tested for the presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Once you have made up your mind about terminating your pregnancy, your doctor will request that you sign a consent form. Thereafter, the doctor will schedule the abortion. You are free to change your mind on whether to end your pregnancy or not. You can also change your decision to terminate the pregnancy just before the scheduled procedure.
What you need to know about medical abortion
Medical abortion entails the use of medication prescribed by a doctor to end a pregnancy. A medical abortion should ideally take place within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Mifepristone is by far the most common medication prescribed for a medical abortion. The medicine acts by blocking the pregnancy hormone, progesterone. This medicine induces the thinning and disintegration of the lining of the uterus. Your doctor may also prescribe prostaglandins or methotrexate for the same purposes. A combination of these drugs is also effective. Once you have taken a mifepristone tablet, you will be under observation for several hours. If all is well, your doctor will allow you to go home.
You will also come back to the health care facility after 1-2 days to receive your second medication known as misoprostol. The dose and timing of this drug are determined by the number of weeks you have been pregnant. The medication is to be inserted inside your vagina. Alternatively, you can take it orally by placing it under your tongue.
Some of the side effects associated with this medication include abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Additionally, you may also experience:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Your doctor may recommend medication to manage these symptoms.
Surgical abortion
In surgical abortion, your doctors will conduct an operation with the goal of terminating your pregnancy. A surgical operation occurs under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. The procedure may also be done under conscious sedation. In this case, you will be awake during the procedure, but relaxed. The choice of sedation or anesthesia varies from one individual to another, depending on the number of weeks you have been pregnant. Individual circumstances may also dictate whether the operation will be conducted under general anesthesia or local anesthesia.
Additionally, some women will opt for one form of sedation over another. Prior to surgical abortion, your doctor will request that you take medication that assists in opening up your cervix. You can take the medication several hours prior to the procedure.
Surgical abortion falls under two categories:
Suction aspiration
The procedure is performed for pregnancies that do not exceed 14 weeks. During this procedure, your doctor will insert a tube that runs from the womb into the cervix. The doctor removes the pregnancy via suction. Your doctor may also require special instruments to assist in terminating the pregnancy, The procedure takes a short time, usually between 5 and 10 minutes. You may get discharged from the healthcare facility after a few hours of the procedure.
Dilation and evacuation (D&E)
The procedure is commonly employed for a pregnancy that exceeds 14 weeks. During this procedure, your doctor will insert forceps into your womb via the cervix. The procedure takes place under general anesthesia or sedation. D&E takes no more than 20 minutes. You should be in a position to go home following the procedure.
What can you expect after a medical abortion?
Having a medical abortion is akin to a bad menstrual period, at least for the majority of women. The only exception is that the vaginal bleeding and cramps are severe. You may also develop an upset stomach or diarrhea. While such symptoms are normal, your doctor may recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve cramps. If you develop the following symptoms, you will need to notify your doctors immediately:
- In case of fever that lasts for more than 24 hours
- If you use more than 2 sanitary pads within an hour, due to excessive bleeding
- In case the pain persists even after taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- If you experience severe back or abdominal pain
- If the vaginal discharge has a foul smell to it
Benefits of surgical termination of pregnancy
- The surgery is a day procedure
- Less bleeding and cramping in comparison with medical termination
- The procedure may be undertaken later in a pregnancy
- The medical team is available for the duration of the procedure
Risks associated with surgical termination
- In very rare cases, there could be an incomplete termination
- Surgical termination can lead to problematic cramping or bleeding
- It may be necessary to redo the procedure
- Infection after a surgical termination is rare but your doctor will often give you antibiotics as a precautionary measure
Other risks are specific to an individual patient. Your doctor will discuss the risks with you before the procedure.
Post-op care and diet
If you had a medical abortion, your surgeon will arrange for a follow-up appointment after surgery. This is important to ascertain that the pregnancy has ended. The standard procedure with many doctors is to order a blood test. Such a test will reveal whether there has been a decrease in pregnancy hormone levels.
An ultrasound will also reveal the termination of pregnancy. If the examination shows that you are still pregnant, your doctor will guide you on the additional procedure or treatment that you need to undergo. In case you underwent an aspiration abortion, your doctor may not recommend any follow-up appointment, unless there are complications. You may need a follow-up appointment after another two weeks for further review.
In about one percent of all women who choose medical abortion, the procedure often fails. For such women, there is a need for additional medication to complete the abortion. Alternatively, your doctor may decide to conduct a small surgical procedure. Your doctor will explore these alternatives with you. You will be fully informed on what each of the alternatives entail so that you can make an informed decision. You will also be advised on the dos and don’ts at home to promote faster healing after the procedure. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medication to manage some of the side effects. For instance, in case of cramps, inflammatory medication will help. Other helpful home remedies include massaging and hot packs directed at the painful area.
If you have undergone a surgical procedure, it is important to minimize the risk of infection. You are advised not to:
- Engage in sexual intercourse
- Use tampons
- Have a bath at least until the wound heals
- Engage in any strenuous activities
You can consume a normal diet that includes leafy green vegetables and plenty of fruits and fluids.
Termination of pregnancy or abortion is the process to end your pregnancy. Termination of pregnancy can be done medically by taking abortion pills or through a surgical procedure. If you are looking for an abortion clinic or a gynecologist in Bangalore, we at goficure can help you. Termination of pregnancy can be done within 24 weeks of pregnancy. Though it is comparatively a safe procedure, there are certain risks involved. If you are looking for an abortion clinic in Bangalore, we suggest you contact us immediately.
Benefits of associating with goficure :
- We offer all the support to help you decide on an abortion clinic or a hospital in Bangalore. Our team will give you the availability of services in your area
- You can also discuss the costs of abortion. If you are still unsure about your decision, we can connect you to a pregnancy counselor in an abortion clinic in Bangalore
- We also help with the logistics of transportation for you on the day of the procedure
goficure is one of the leading healthcare providers in Bangalore. We not only provide you support but assist you in finding the right gynecologist in Bangalore, schedule consultation visits, enable diagnosis, test, treatment, as well as counseling if needed.
Exclusive features you get with goficure
1. Dedicated Medi-Pal
A dedicated Medi-Pal is assigned to you. Your Medi-Pal will be your one point contact throughout the treatment and post-op period. They will always be available for you
2. Quick doctor’s appointments
After understanding your concerns, your Medi-Pal will schedule your consultation with a specialist doctor. Your doctor will carry out necessary tests and advise the course of treatment
3. Hassle-free treatment
If you opt to get the surgery done, goficure will take care of it completely. Right from booking your surgery, claiming your insurance to being with you throughout the procedure, your Medi-Pal will do it all
4. Post-op recovery support
Your Medi-Pal would ensure quick recovery. This includes booking your follow up consultations and helping you with doctor-recommended steps for diet & exercise
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Comparison
With so many options, are you wondering what the right choice for your condition is? While you can opt for either an open surgery or a laser surgery, numerous studies have shown that laser surgeries are far more effective. Be it the duration of the procedure, post-operative pain or recovery time, laser surgeries always outrank open surgeries and are therefore, a better choice. Here is a quick comparison that will help you decide your course of action.
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