Today, we will get to know about one of the most discussed topics in midwifery incomplete abortion.
Before that, allow me to take you on a quick drive on Abortion.
In English, the word “abort” means to terminate, to cease development, or to stop something from reaching its end.
WHAT THEN IS ABORTION?
Abortion is a medical procedure done to terminate a pregnancy. It leads to the “expulsion” or removal of an embryo or fetus( baby).
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON ABORTION.
Based on culture, religion, and law; there are different views on abortion around the world. In some parts of the world, abortion is only legal in cases like rape, a risk to the mother's health, and fetal defect. There are a lot of controversies on abortion. However, abortion is still very common today.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO aims at making health a reality for all including quality abortion care services (the right information on abortion, proper management of abortion, and proper management after abortion).
According to WHO, more than half of all pregnancies every year are unintended. Statistics show that out of 10 pregnancies, 6 are unintended, and 3 out of the10 end in abortion.
Abortion is a simple and safe procedure when carried out according to the WHO recommendations, at the appropriate time of pregnancy, and by licensed healthcare personnel.
TYPES OF ABORTION
There are two types of abortion;
- Induced Abortion
- Spontaneous Abortion.
Induced Abortions are intended abortions which means, there is a reason for abortion. For example, in the United Kingdom, about 2% of abortions are due to genetic issues in the fetus. There are different methods for intentional abortions. It can be medically or surgically done and these methods depend on the gestational age
of the embryo or fetus. Gestation age is the age of pregnancy beginning from the woman's last menstrual period.
Spontaneous abortion is just the opposite of induced abortion. They are unintentional. It mostly occurs in the first trimester and is usually sudden. For easy understanding;
Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters.
Trimester | Duration |
---|---|
1st trimester | From the last Menstruation - 12 weeks |
2nd Trimester | 13 weeks - 26 weeks |
3rd Trimester | 27 weeks - 40 weeks |
Spontaneous abortion is mostly due to chromosomal abnormalities of the embryo or fetus (baby). A normal individual has 46 chromosomes of which 23 is from each parent. However, a situation where a chromosome is missing, switched, or turned upside down is referred to as chromosomal abnormality. Other than abnormalities in chromosomes; infection, uterine abnormalities (abnormalities of the uterus), and incompetent cervix (where the cervix opens too early in pregnancy) can lead to spontaneous abortion.
CLASSIFICATION OF ABORTION.
Early Abortion | Occurs in the first trimester |
---|---|
Late Abortion | Occurs in the second trimester |
Threatened Abortion | Here, vaginal bleeding occurs without dilation of the cervix. An indication of spontaneous abortion |
Inevitable Abortion | Here, vaginal bleeding occurs with dilation of the cervix |
Therapeutic Abortion | Occurs due to a threat to the mother's health |
Complete Abortion | All the products of conception are expelled |
Incomplete Abortion | All the products of conception are not completely expelled |
Incomplete Abortion occurs when pregnancy tissues remain in the womb. Recently, the incidence of incomplete abortion has risen due to poor medical services, self-medication, or drug abuse. I remember during my midwifery posting, we had a case of incomplete abortion, the woman complained that she visited a clinic and was given pills which she took, and even after 2 months, she was still bleeding. There are some signs and symptoms
peculiar to incomplete abortion.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF INCOMPLETE ABORTIONS.
- lower abdominal pain
- fever
- cramps
- moderate or severe vaginal bleeding.
Incomplete Abortion can be treated using Manual Vacuum Aspiration. This is a minor surgical procedure used to treat incomplete abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is carried out by licensed medical personnel and the procedure last for about 10-20 minutes after which pain medications are administered.
Studies have shown that incomplete abortion is more common in medical abortion (use of pills) and one of the major risks associated with incomplete abortion is sepsis (infection of the blood) hence the need for prompt treatment!
I hope this was beneficial to you.
Thank you.
References and further studies
UCSF Health
Cleburne Pregnancy Center
WebMD
Medicins Sans Frontieres.
wikipedia
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I believe that abortion rates will tend to continue to increase and with them maternal deaths.
The search for the legalization of this procedure will mean that where it is approved, it will not be affordable in clinics for the majority of women who want to do it, so they will look for "cheaper" options that will increase the problem.
It is unfortunate that this is happening, in addition to the fact that more and more women are using traditional methods of abortion, which are very dangerous.
That's true. The cost of the procedure is another issue on its own. I think it's best to completely avoid the whole abortion thing. It's best to take precautions to prevent pregnancy if you're not ready yet because all these despite their advantages still has its side effects. Just as incomplete abortion can lead to blood infection, MVA is a very painful procedure and also a risk for infection. Thanks for input @apineda Thanks for stopping by❤️
the incomplete abortion can lead to multiple problems for the mother!
!UP
Exactly! Abortion is too risky to risk.Thank you for stopping by @gwajnberg
First, I do not know if you are familiar with the popular Nigeria hip-hop song Adulthood Na Scam, Welcome to the future you so much dreamed about, I hope you are sailing the ship well, so you do not sink? Anyway, let's leave that. You see, the take on abortion is still very shaky, depending on the country. While all these still stand, I detest doing self abortion, and killing oneself while intending to terminate a fetus.
Well done dearie😘😘
Honestly😂 That musician didn't lie😩😂 Me too. It's not an option for me. I can take the risk. It has more bad than good. Does it really have any good? I don't know😑 but nahhh. Thanks for stopping by dear Eniola😊 I like your name by the way😂❤️ @eni-ola
Haha 🤣🤣. That song isn't one song I like to listen to, it tells me the reality but you see, one way I get satisfaction after a long stress is to go and spoil myself at one restaurant or go swimming
Mine is sleeping😂 I just woke up sef😂
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The pain comes with a gain... don't worry, it will come and pass.
Abortion, the Only time I deem it necessary is when it will likely cost the Life of the mother or in cases of rape. Aside this, that child has the right to live. In in rape, it's expected that the victim takes post pill early enough, why wait until the embryo develops? When u could even stop the evil sperms from reaching cannanland.
Yes yes. Cases of rape or saving the mother's life is very understandable. That's my problem exactly too. Why wait until the embryo has developed? I don't seem to understand. Well, I guess they take enough time to make the decision. So😑
Oooh I didn't know such a think (incomplete abortion) existed. I assume this is only a problem when abortion is undertaken in places with poor services, especially for what concerns the follow-up of the patients. Is my assumption correct? Is it also occurring in legit places following all recommendations?
Your assumptions are not entirely wrong. Incomplete abortion is mostly due to poor information or poor health services. It can also occur in a normal situation where the woman had inevitable abortion. I hope you're cleared with this?
Yes, everything is clear now. Thanks for clarifying.
Cheers!