According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly half of all abortions worldwide are unsafe, with the highest proportion occurring in developing regions such as Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. These unsafe procedures are often the result of restrictive abortion laws, lack of access to trained healthcare providers, and limited availability of safe abortion methods.
What Are Unsafe Abortions?
Unsafe abortion is when a pregnancy is terminated by someone who is not medically qualified to perform abortions, performs the procedure in a non medical setting and may even be using unsafe medicines to end the pregnancy.
Note:- Even when an abortion is performed safely, certain side effects are normal. Discover what to expect in Top 6 Side Effects of Abortion You Should Know.
What Causes Unsafe Abortions?
Unsafe abortions often occur when women face barriers to accessing safe and legal healthcare. Other common causes might include:-
- Restrictive laws: Countries with highly restrictive abortion laws have significantly higher rates of unsafe abortions compared to those that legalised abortion.
- Lack of access to healthcare:- Limited availability of trained medical providers or safe facilities leads women to unqualified individuals or dangerous self-methods.
Even if clinics have the capacity to perform abortions, young women and girls often face stigma and abuse at the hands of healthcare workers, according to Jackie Maimin, CEO of the Independent Community Pharmacy Association.
“We hear of so many women and girls who go into clinics only to be lectured, which is another driver of the huge black market of illegal abortion services out there,” she says.
52% to 58% of abortions in the country take place in the informal sector, according to Satchwell. Since illegal abortions aren’t systematically counted, there is inevitably some uncertainty regarding this estimate – an Africa Check article could find no data to support the 52% to 58% claim, though its been widely repeated in the media.
Another reason women might turn to the black market for an illegal abortion is because they do not want to publicly disclose the fact that they are either pregnant or are having an abortion and fear that healthcare workers will not respect their confidentiality, despite the legal obligation to do so.
📌 Learn More :- Top 6 Side Effects of Abortions ↗
Dangers Associated With Unsafe Abortion Procedures
s://www.mariestopes.org.za/report-illegal-abortions/
ps://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/unsafe-abortion-preventable-danger
It is crucial to emphasize that seeking illegal or unregulated abortion services can have severe consequences for a woman’s well-being. These procedures are often performed in unsanitary conditions by untrained individuals, increasing the risks of complications such as excessive bleeding, infection, and organ damage.
In some cases, these complications can be life-threatening if not treated promptly and properly. Furthermore, illegal abortion providers may use unsafe methods or administer improper dosages of medications, further jeopardizing the woman’s health.
The lack of medical oversight and follow-up care can also lead to undetected complications that may worsen over time. It is essential to prioritize safety and seek abortion services from licensed and reputable healthcare providers who adhere to strict medical protocols and safety standards. These professionals have the necessary training, equipment, and facilities to ensure the procedure is performed correctly and any potential risks are minimized.
Seeking safe and legal abortion services not only protects a woman’s physical well-being but also her emotional and mental health. Reputable providers offer counseling and support services to help women navigate this sensitive process with dignity and respect.
While the decision to have an abortion is a deeply personal one, it is crucial to prioritize safety and seek professional medical care from reliable sources. The risks associated with illegal or backstreet abortions are simply too high and can have devastating consequences.
Lorem ipsu
though minor abortion risks are possible they should never be neglected cos they can turn fatal
Remember that there is a law regarding time limit for performing abortions. But although these laws are available each abortion provider may have their own distinct cutoffs when it comes to ending pregnancies.
Typically, reasonable abortion clinics in Johannesburg can extend the medical abortion option up to 13 weeks of pregnancy. That’s why it’s important to seek advice from a professional healthcare provider or certified abortion clinic near you to ensure that you have all the information and resources needed to make informed decisions about your pregnancy.
What are the available abortion options
There are two types of abortion procedures should you decide that abortion s the right option for you.
A medical abortion which involves taking medication to terminate the pregnancy without undergoing any kind of surgery and on the other hand a surgical abortion which involves removes the fetus from the uterus by performing a minor surger either with the help of a local or general anesthesia depending on the stage of the pregnancy.
Medical Abortion Procedure
Medication abortion option also referred as to as induced abortion is suitable option for women less than 12 weeks and is achieved by swallowing 2 types of abortion tablets.
Mifepristone is an anti-hormone drug which acts by blocking the effects of progesterone – the hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue.
Misoprostol is taken 24 hrs later buccally or vaginally and it is meant to dilate the cervix and assists the uterus to expel the pregnancy.
Who qualifies for a medical abortion?
- Women less than 12 weeks into the pregnancy.
- Medical abortion offers more privacy, ie it can be done in your own privacy at home.
- Women afraid of needles because it requires no anaesthetic.
- Most women say using abortion pills to terminate a pregnancy feels more natural.
- Women are not financially stable and are seeking affordable abortion procedures.
- Women in areas will limited abortion services or can not travel to the nearest safe abortion clinic.
Risks associated with medical abortions
It is important to note that like any other medical procedure, medication abortion carries some risks that are not very common but worth knowing
- A medical termination of pregnancy tends to consume more time since everything occurs naturally.
- Some women tend to experience digestive system discomfort during the process.
- There is no sedation provided like performing surgical abortion procedures.
- In some cases there is a possibility of an incomplete abortion procedure which might require you to get more medication.
- There is a high possibility of infection during recovery if proper hygiene is not practiced.
Surgical Abortion Procedure
In-clinic procedures also known as Surgical abortions are usually performed on the clinic premises under conscious sedation with the help of a local anaesthetic for optimal comfort.
There are basically 2 types of surgical abortions depending on the duration of the pregnancy.
- Suction Abortion:- It doesn’t require your cervix doesn’t to be prepped or dilated.
- Dilation and evacuation:-Your cervix will be prepared by your nurse or doctor prior to a D&E abortion.
Who qualifies for a surgical abortion?
- Women who past 12 weeks into the pregnancy.
- Women with medical related conditions like an ectopic pregnancy must undergo a surgical procedure.
- Women afraid of blood since with medical abortions there more blood being seen.
- Breastfeeding mothers do not need to cease fee their little ones like while using the abortion tablets.
Risks of Surgical Abortions
When it comes to surgical procedures, there are a multitude of risks that should not be overlooked. Unfortunately, these risks can be quite severe and even fatal in some cases for instance:
- There is a high risk of hemorrhage during in-clinic abortion procedure.
- Some women have adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Learn More
How much would an abortion cost?
The price of abortion depends on the duration of the pregnancy, abortion procedure to be done and the abortion clinic that will be assisting you with the process.
In South Africa, abortions are offered free of charge in public hospitals as long as you’re less than 12 weeks. Private certified abortion providers may charge between R600 to R2,000 for medication abortions and Surgical procedures cost slightly more ranging from R2000 to R8,000.
I'm Not Sure If Abortion Is the right Option For Me. What Should I Do?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, and still not sure what the best abortion option is, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. You may be feeling conflicted and may need some extra support and guidance to help you navigate this difficult decision.
It is important to seek support and advice from a trusted healthcare provider who can provide you with information on the other available options which include parenting or adoption.
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Common Unsafe Abortion Questions Answered
Do abortions cause infertility?
Most
What is too far for an abortion?
Abortion
What causes death during abortion?
Yes, b
What can lead to a failed abortion?
Delivery
Can doctors tell you had an abortion?
References
- WHO – Abortion care guidelines ↗
- Pub Med – Costs of Abortion In South Africa ↗
