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Understanding Abortion: Legal Status, Trends & Methods

Explore abortion's legal status, current trends, and different methods like suction curettage and induction of labor. Learn about complications and psychological effects of abortion.

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Understanding Abortion: Legal Status, Trends & Methods

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  1. Chapter Seven Abortion

  2. What is Abortion? • Expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus before it sufficiently develops • Can also be referred to as those expulsions that are artificially induced by mechanical means or drugs • Miscarriage is generally used as a natural form of expulsion without any causal intervention

  3. Current Legal Status • In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court made abortion legal in the landmark case, Roe vs. Wade • First Trimester: decision left to pregnant woman and physician • Second Trimester: similar rights but state may dictate regulatory factors • Third Trimester: State regulates and can bar abortions, unless it is to preserve the life of the woman • U.S. Congress has barred the use of federal Medicaid funds to pay for abortions, except in cases of incest, rape, or immediate life-threatening danger

  4. Current Trends • 43% of a decline of abortions was due to the use of emergency contraception • Many states are imposing additional restrictions on abortion i.e. waiting period, counseling, age of consent, and type of procedure • The typical woman having an abortion is: • Age 20 • Has a previous birth history • Has never married • From a lower socio-economic background • Lives in a metropolitan area • Is considered “Christian”

  5. Methods of Abortion • Suction Curettage • Developed in China (1958) • Performed during the 6th to 12 week of pregnancy • Cervix is dilated and a suction curette empties the uterine contents • A metal curette is used to scrape any remaining tissues • Manual Vacuum Aspiration • MVA is considered a new option not available at all clinics • Cervix is dilated and a plastic tube attached to a syringe is inserted • Gestational sac is removed by suction force

  6. Abortions after the First Trimester • Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) • Method most commonly used after the 12th week of pregnancy • Cervix is opened using dilators and surgical instruments are used to remove the uterine contents, along with an aspirator • Induction of Labor • Prostaglandins are used to induce labor • Delivery of fetus usually occurs in 6-24 hours later • Fewer than 1% use this method • Medical Abortion • Combination of drugs causes the embryo to be passed out (miscarriage) • Drugs commonly used for this are Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and Methotrexate

  7. Fever >100 degree F Abdominal pain or swelling, cramping, or backache Prolonged or heavy bleeding Foul-smelling vaginal discharge Vomiting or fainting Abdominal tenderness (to pressure) Delay in resuming menstrual periods (6 weeks or more) Complications of Abortion These are possible physical effects due to an abortion

  8. Psychological After-effects of Abortion • These aftereffects vary with the individual • Many women go through a period of ambivalence • Stronger feelings are felt immediately after the abortion • Support from a partner, friend, and/or family member can be helpful

  9. Chapter Seven Abortion

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