Procedures under Abortion Treatment
WEEKS | TYPE | PROCESS |
0-7 weeks | Medical abortion | Oral medication for termination of pregnancy |
7-12 weeks | Vacuum aspiration | A hand-held device is used to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. |
12-20 weeks | Dilation and evacuation | A combination of vacuum aspiration and forceps. The doctor first dilates the cervix. |
Does abortion affect your mental health?
For some woman, abortion can be a difficult and stressful decision to make in their life. It quite common for women to feel negative or guilty emotions after the procedure. The process of recovering from an abortion can be different for everyone and these feelings should be addressed and not be taken lightly. Research shows that an abortion does not increase a woman’s risk for mental health complications in the long term. But, it is important to reach out for support if you find yourself struggling emotionally after the procedure. You should find support, seek guidance or counseling for your emotional well-being.
Will abortion affect subsequent pregnancies?
A safely performed abortion will not affect your fertility or future pregnancies. It has no effect on your chances of getting pregnant. However, in case there is a complication after the surgery like developing a womb infection that is not treated quickly, can lead to complications in the future. Discuss your options with your doctor, make sure you are informed about all the risks factors possible during or after the surgery. A well-informed decision will be based on all future possibilities and should not affect your fertility.
At what trimester is abortion legal in India?
The Union Cabinet amended the 1971 Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act in 2020 wherein women can seek abortion as a part of reproductive rights. The upper limit of abortion is now from 20-24 weeks. In India, abortion is legal only under the following circumstances:
- If the continuation of the pregnancy poses major risks to the life of the mother
- If the pregnancy is a result of rape or sexual assault.
- If the fetus has severe physical or mental abnormalities.
- If the pregnancy is a result of contraception failure. However, this condition does not include married women.