Abortion - a frightening word. Society is imposing on women the idea that in the literal sense of the word is murder that cannot be approved. But this is not so. Abortion is an ordinary operation in which there is nothing shameful. And, like before any other operation, you should first understand what you can expect from it.
Types of Abortion
It called abortion an abortion for any reason. This can be a woman's desire, medical or social need. The safest and easiest is considered to be an abortion in the early stages of up to about 5 weeks. During this period, you can have an abortion without surgical intervention, for example, medication or vacuum.
Surgical abortion is usually done for up to 12 weeks. But in case of any medical contraindications or social reasons, it can be done up to 22 weeks. The fact is that, by law, a voluntary abortion can be done no later than a 12-week period. Therefore, to have an abortion at 16 weeks can not always.
Waiting time at different times
When a woman comes to the clinic with the firm intention of having an abortion, usually this decision is carefully weighed and considered. But according to the law, a certain period of time is prescribed before the operation so that the patient has the opportunity to change her mind. Even so, there are situations when a woman decides to leave the fetus already on the operating table. The waiting time is directly related to the term. Two days are allocated when contacting for up to 7 weeks, as well as for a period of 11-12 weeks. When applying for a period of 8-10 weeks, this time increases to a week. As for abortion at the 16th week of pregnancy, everything will depend on the reasons why the operation is necessary. But, most likely, will not have to wait more than two days.
Abortion at week 16
As already mentioned, according to the law, abortion at the request of a woman is done only until 12 weeks. So to have an abortion at 16 weeks? After a 12-week period, serious reasons are needed for an abortion. Medical contraindications include abnormal development of the fetus and a threat to the life of the mother.
Social reasons include conception due to rape, the death of the father of the child, disability, and others. Only under one of these circumstances can an abortion be performed at 16 weeks. So it’s much better for a woman’s health to take care of herself earlier and have an abortion for a shorter period.
Indications
Based on the point above, you can determine the indications for abortion at 16 weeks. Among them are pregnancy from an abuser, an ectopic pregnancy, serious complications of maternal health, and impaired fetal development. Usually, at such late dates as 16 weeks, an abortion is done only after a special medical commission, which decides how expedient, necessary and safe the operation is.
But the final decision is made by the patient herself. Without her consent, doctors are not entitled to medical intervention. It is possible only in case of a serious threat to a woman’s life, when help is needed immediately. So abortion at weeks 15-16 is a rather difficult matter.
Contraindications
As with any other surgery, there are contraindications for late abortions. The first is an ectopic pregnancy. Of course, abortion in this case is simply necessary, but it is very important to weigh in advance and eliminate all possible risks. Depending on the chosen method of fetal removal, complications may arise in the patient after surgery, therefore it is very important to be prepared for this in advance. The doctor must tell and explain everything, warn about possible consequences.
In any case, the final decision is made by the woman. Contraindications for abortion for a period of 16 weeks also include infectious and venereal diseases of the pelvic organs, because during the operation, complications are possible when exposed to the body from the outside. Another contraindication is the Rhesus conflict, which can occur during the first pregnancy. Its reason is usually the opposite of the rhesus of the father and mother, because of which the woman's body rejects the fetus. There are narrower, individual contraindications, so before the abortion for a period of 16 weeks, body tests are mandatory. This applies to any other term.
Training
Thus, we found that abortion at week 16 is only possible in special cases. At this time, the stomach is visible, but the body is already adapted to pregnancy, so many unpleasant symptoms fade into the background. The first step is to convene a medical panel to discuss the reasons for the abortion, as this is a very serious operation for such a late date.
Next, the studies that the patient needs to undergo are prescribed, among them an analysis of hCG and a blood test for HIV, syphilis, viral hepatitis, a general blood test and analysis for the presence of infections of the genitourinary system. Depending on individual causes and complications, additional tests may be prescribed.
How is an abortion performed?
At the moment, for a period of 4-5 months, three types of abortion are used in Russia: dilatation and evacuation, dilatation and curettage, small cesarean section. Medical abortion at this time may be ineffective and cause complications. Dilatation and curettage are most commonly used, although this is not the safest way. To begin with, through special preparations, the cervical canal is expanded. Then, with the help of a curette (surgical spoon), the embryo is removed.
The danger of this method lies in the fact that doctors very mechanically affect the patient’s body, such a shock can cause heavy atonic bleeding, which is extremely unsafe. Curettage is recommended to be used only in extreme cases, when other methods are inappropriate. Dilation and evacuation is carried out in much the same way as curettage, but instead of a curette, a vacuum aspirator is used here, which removes the embryo and amniotic water. This method is considered the safest of the above, as it is less traumatic. A hysterotomy, or small caesarean section, is performed only in cases where the use of other methods for medical reasons is impossible, for example, in the case of mutations or fetal death, as well as individual contraindications of the patient.
Effects on the body
Abortion at week 16 is a very serious and risky operation. And the consequences after it can be different. It depends on many factors: the patient’s predisposition, the competence of doctors, the observance of sanitary standards during the operation, as well as the reasons for this operation. The only thing that all women experience after surgery is a menstrual cycle disorder. It will take time, about 3-4 months, to restore it and bring it back to normal, after which it will most likely level out. But there are more serious consequences, such as acute bleeding, endometriosis and endometritis, uterine perforation and others. After late abortions, women often become infertile. All this is mostly individual and depends on many factors, but each woman has the strength to take care of herself and prevent complications, carefully and carefully restoring her body. After surgery, the patient usually continues to be closely monitored by doctors for 3-5 days. At the discharge, the attending physician will tell you about what the body needs now, and what you should refrain from, maybe it will prescribe any drugs.
All doctor's recommendations must be strictly observed, as this will help speed up the recovery process. Moreover, it is necessary to observe sexual rest until the menstrual cycle is completely restored. At first, spotting may be observed, during this period it is worthwhile to refrain from serious physical exertion. A diet containing many vitamins and minerals will also be beneficial for a weakened body. Do not forget to monitor your well-being: often measure pressure and temperature, control the nature of the discharge. It is convenient to do for monitoring women's health in special applications.
Abortion is not a shame!
This paragraph of the article is dedicated to those whose term is still not very long and allows you to have an abortion of your own will. Society often imposes on girls that abortion is by all means a murder, a shameful affair, sin and a terrible act. But it is not so. In the early stages, the fetus is not yet formed, it is just a collection of cells. The reasons may be different. No one denies that abortion is a very serious step for many. But it’s important to understand what to do right. Abortion can sometimes be a much better option than giving birth. Someone says that abortion has very serious consequences for women. Only now they do not take into account the fact that childbirth also has no less, and sometimes even more serious consequences, including complications during childbirth and even death, postpartum depression, scoliosis, stroke, omission of the uterus and many others. In fact, the consequences of pregnancy and childbirth are much greater than the effects of early legal abortion. Therefore, if the term is still small, and abortion is necessary for whatever reason - there is nothing shameful and terrible to do this.
Caption: "Abortion is a woman’s right."
Summing up, I want to say that the reasons for abortion are very different and individual. Abortion at week 16 is quite serious, but if it is necessary, it is much better to have it, even if the child is desired. After all, the health of an adult woman is much more important than an unformed fetus.