Medical Abortion by @chambas
Good evening to ya all. Hope we all are fine. Today was another day, not just any day but a day to cherish and be great-full for. And I wanna use this opportunity to educate us on Medical Abortion.
Abortion is simply a procedure to end pregnancy. Which means that it’s a medicinal (the use of medicine) or surgical (involving surgery) removal of the fetus(embryo) and the placenta from the uterus and it’s carried out by a licensed health care professional.
Maternal mortality is such a huge problem, mainly occurring in the developing world of which Ghana is not n exception. And in Ghana, past and present government has taken bold steps to reduce the impact of unsafe abortion. However, the expected reduction in maternal deaths is yet to be realized or achieved.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNFPA and the World Bank, 287,000 women die each year world-wide from pregnancy-related causes. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest maternal mortality ratio in the world of 500 per 100,000 births. WHO estimates 47,000 of these deaths per year are attributable to unsafe abortion, making abortion a leading cause of maternal mortality.src
Every individual has the right to decide freely and responsibly – without discrimination, coercion and violence – the number, spacing and timing of their children, and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health (ICPD 1994).
Some potential risks of medical (thus the use of medicine to terminate pregnancy) abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion.
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn't work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever and
- Digestive system discomfort
So therefore you must be certain about your decision before going in for a medical abortion.
NOTE
I want to caution that, a medical abortion isn’t an option for anyone who is pregnant for more than nine weeks, thus after the start of your last period.
Also it’s not recommended for someone who has an intrauterine device or IUD.
If you also suspect a pregnancy outside the uterus, also known as ectopic pregnancy, then abortion isn’t recommended.
If you have certain medical conditions such as bleeding disorders, blood or heart diseases, severe liver or lung disease, then you are not also recommended to go for medical abortion. And lastly if you can not make follow up visits or not privy(not having access) to emergency care, as well as having allergies to the medications given.
SO NOW HOW DO ONE PREPARE FOR A MEDICAL ABORTION
If you're considering a medical abortion, meet with your doctor to discuss the procedure. Your doctor will likely evaluate your medical history and overall health.
He/she will also physically exam you to confirm your pregnancy and it’s state.
Thirdly an ultrasound exam will done to date the pregnancy, confirm that it's not outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy) and not a tumor that developed in the uterus (molar or pseudo pregnancy)
Some blood and urine test will be carried as well to know current state as far as your blood and urine is concerned
And lastly you will be explained to as to how the procedure will be done, it’s side effects, the potential risk involved and complications.
MEDICINES NORMALLY PRESCRIBED
Medications usually used in medical abortion includes; Oral mifepristone (Mifeprex) and oral misoprostol (Cytotec), Oral mifepristone and vaginal, buccal or sublingual misoprostol, Methotrexate and vaginal misoprostol and Vaginal misoprostol alone, just to mention a few.
CONCLUSION
Actually having a medical abortion is a serious decision. So I will advice that you possibly, talk with your partner, family or friends.
Talk with your doctor, a spiritual adviser or a counselor to get answers to your questions, help you weigh alternatives and consider the impact the procedure may have on your future.
Hope you fine this educative so you can impact others too. And thank you for sparing time to read.
#lifestyle #health #fitness #writingnreview #education #steemexclusive #steemghana