Risks Associated With Abortion at Abortion Clinics

Becoming a parent is a very important decision with lifelong results. Usually, this is a happy occurrence, but when women find themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy they must decide whether they are ready to have a child. If they find that they are not ready to have children, they may consider adoption or to end the pregnancy with abortion. Nearly half of all pregnancies among women in the United States are unintended, and four in ten of them result in termination by abortion.

Having an abortion is a very personal decision and one which only the woman herself can make. If a woman decides to terminate her pregnancy it is important that she educates herself not only about the benefits, but also the risks of having an abortion procedure.

In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that abortion would be legal through a decision known as Roe v Wade. This decision is based on a woman’s right to privacy regarding medical matters including family planning. Since that time, abortion has become the most frequently performed outpatient surgery. Today, abortion is found to be about ten times safer than giving birth.

When choosing an abortion provider it is very important to locate a reputable clinic with experienced, well trained physicians. A good clinic will be willing to answer all of your questions and provide as much information as you need in order feel comfortable enough to schedule an appointment.

Abortion is very safe when performed by knowledgeable physicians. It is safer than giving birth or receiving an injection of penicillin. As with all medical procedures, there are some risks associated with abortion, but they are comparatively minimal. Less than 0.3% of abortion patients experience a complication that requires hospitalization.

Potential complications from an abortion procedure include:

• Incomplete abortion requiring the procedure must be repeated

• Infection which can usually be treated with antibiotics

• Ectopic pregnancy. Abnormal pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus and may require surgery

• Perforation of the uterus. The treatment may require only observation if minor, or may require surgical repair in a hospital, depending on the severity.

Less than 1% of all abortion patients experience a major complication, such as a serious pelvic infection, hemorrhage requiring a blood transfusion or unintended major surgery. The risks associated with abortion increase with the length of pregnancy. The need for hysterectomy is extremely rare.

The risk of death associated with childbirth is about ten times as high as that associated with abortion. Surgical abortion is a safe and simple procedure with a low risk of complication. The procedure involves dilation of the cervix and the use of suction to remove the pregnancy from the uterus and is usually performed under IV sedation, but can also be performed using only local or general anesthesia.

Surgical methods of abortion pose a greater risk than those that are performed with medication such as with the Abortion by Pill because medical abortions do not require surgery or anesthesia.

Experts now highly recommend medical abortion as an effective and safe method of terminating pregnancy in the early stages. Medical abortion is an alternative to a surgical termination procedure and both have unique advantages and disadvantages. These include the amount of time required to complete the procedure, the number of clinic visits necessary, the effectiveness, side effects and complications.

Unless a patient has a complication during or after the procedure, abortion should have no impact on any future ability to become pregnant or to carry a pregnancy to term.
Medical research has found that there is no link between abortion and breast or others cancers.

The majority of women feel a sense of relief following an abortion. However, some may experience a sense of sadness or loss. Most find that talking with friends or family or their partner is all they need, but some may not have anyone to talk to or do not wish to have anyone know they had an abortion, and this is when post-abortion counseling is recommended. Reputable abortion clinics should have a list of counseling referral resources for their patients.
The most effective means of minimizing risks associated with abortion is to choose a qualified, experienced physician at a reputable clinic; follow post operative instructions for after care; and return for any necessary follow up visits.