women s health issues
Abortion
Complications of Abortion
Complications from abortion are rare when it is done by a trained health care professional in a hospital or clinic. Also, complications occur much less often after an abortion than after delivery of a full-term baby. Serious complications occur in fewer than 1% of women who have an abortion. Death after an abortion is very rare. About 6 out of a million women who have an abortion die, compared with about 140 out of a million women who deliver a full-term baby. The older the fetus is, the higher the number of complications. The risk of complications is related to the method used. Surgical evacuation:Complications are rare when surgical abortions are done by health care professionals. The uterus is torn (perforated) by a surgical instrument in fewer than 1 of 1,000 abortions. Injury of the intestine or another organ is even rarer. Severe bleeding during or immediately after the procedure occurs in 6 of 10,000 abortions. Very rarely, the procedure or a subsequent infection causes scar tissue to form in the lining of the uterus, resulting in sterility. This disorder is called Asherman syndrome. Medications:Mifepristoneand the prostaglandinmisoprostolhave side effects. The most common are crampy pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Either method:Bleeding and infection can occur if part of the placenta is left in the uterus. If bleeding occurs or if infection is suspected, clinicians use ultrasonography to determine whether part of the placenta remains in the uterus. Complications from abortion are rare when it is done by a trained health care professional in a hospital or clinic. Later, particularly if the woman is inactive, blood clots may develop in the legs. If the fetus has Rh-positive blood, a woman who has Rh-negative blood may produce Rh antibodies—as in any pregnancy, miscarriage, or delivery. Such antibodies may endanger subsequent pregnancies. Giving the woman injections of Prevention prevents antibodies from developing. Immune globulin may be optional for pregnancies lasting less than 8 weeks. Psychologic problems after an abortion are more likely if the following are present Psychologic symptoms before pregnancy Limited social support or a sense of disapproval from their support system 