Kinds of Abortion

The average age of women who experience unplanned pregnancy are usually in the reproductive stage (18-29 years old). This is also the stage where in women are at the peak of their careers or are starting to reach the peak of their careers. This is also the stage where in the women enjoy their freedom, are enjoying being sociable and independence. And due to this, majority or more than half of women with unplanned pregnancy end up having abortion – either surgical or medical.

What are the options of a pregnant woman?

Women facing unplanned pregnancies have several options to consider, each with different implications and support systems available. These options include:

A. Parenting

Deciding to Raise the Child: Many women choose to carry the pregnancy to term and raise the child. This option requires careful consideration of emotional, financial, and social support.
Support Systems: Available resources include partner’s support, family support, community programs, parenting classes, financial assistance, healthcare services, and childcare options.

B. Adoption

Placing the Child for Adoption: Some women opt to carry the pregnancy to term and place the child for adoption. This can be done through private or public agencies. Counseling services, legal assistance, and adoption agencies provide support throughout the process.

C. Abortion

Termination of Pregnancy: Abortion is a medical procedure that terminates the pregnancy. The availability and legality of abortion vary by country and region. There are different types of abortion, Medical Abortion and Surgical Abortion.

Medical Abortion involves taking medication to end the pregnancy, typically up to 12 weeks age of gestation. There are different medicines used in Medical Abortion, among these are misoprostol, mifepristone and methotrexate. While surgical abortion includes procedures like aspiration (up to 16 weeks) and dilation and evacuation (after 16 weeks). Clinics, healthcare providers, and counseling services offer support before, during, and after the procedure. Unfortunately, not all countries offer these services to women with unplanned pregnancies. That is why we strive hard to provide these support system and medicines which women can take if they have an unplanned pregnancies.

Making a decision about an unplanned pregnancy is deeply personal and can be challenging. Access to accurate information, compassionate counseling, and comprehensive support systems is crucial for women to make the best decision for their circumstances.

There are two (2) kinds of abortion. First is the Surgical abortion where in the pregnant woman undergo abortion by dilation and curettage or use catheter to open the cervix in order for the contents of the uterus to come out. The second type is the Medical abortion where in the pregnant woman would take medications that would induce contraction of the uterus, opening of the cervix and then eventually abortion will occur.

Surgical abortion has the advantages of having a complete abortion (leaving no remnants of conception inside the uterus), provided it is done in a hygienic and well equipped facility and properly trained and licensed practioners. On the other hand, surgical abortion also has higher complication rates compared to medical abortion. Since there is no law that allows abortion in the Philippines whatever the circumstances the pregnant woman is in, many of the women having unplanned pregnancies seek surgical abortions done by untrained personnel done in an unhygienic facility and unconventional ways leading to more complications such as infection which can lead to severe sepsis, uncontrolled bleeding, rupture of the uterus – which are all considered to be life threatening to the pregnant woman. Majority of the women undergoing surgical abortion need hospitalization and medical attention as to treat or prevent complications.

On the other hand, medical abortion has its advantages over surgical abortion such as the ease in doing the procedure – the pregnant woman would take abortifacient medicines that will cause abortion. Complications such as infection and rupture of the uterus are lower in patients doing medical abortion than in patients undergoing surgical abortion. Another advantage of medical abortion is that it is more cost-efficient than surgical abortion since medical abortion only needs intake of certain medicines or abortifacients and does not need hospitalization and the payment of professional fees of doctors and anesthesiologists – to which sometimes can add up to a hefty price. The slight disadvantage of medical abortion is the availability of the medicines especially in countries like the Philippines. Procurement of certain medicines used in medical abortion is difficult.

History of Abortion

The history of abortion is long, complex and diverse dating back to ancient civilizations, to some, even some data were forgotten, unremembered, unrecollected, unrecalled, wrongly recorded or completely forgotten especially in places or countries where abortion is considered to be antisocial or highly antisocial, under the laws and legalities of a certain area or a method of common practices where male humans were preferred better than female human species — as to why this is being practiced in certain areas in the world and certain beliefs of the world, is another broad topic to be researched and studied to.

In many ancient societies, abortion was not uncommon, although methods were often crude and dangerous. Religious and cultural beliefs have heavily influenced attitudes toward abortion throughout history.

The health of the pregnant woman was not prioritized just as long as that the process of abortion is done if the criteria for that certain area, culture, custom, heritage or civilization for abortion is met. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, abortion was often illegal and unsafe, leading to significant health risks for women including severe bleeding, severe infection or sepsis, loss of care, cervical injury, uterine perforation, retained blood clots and remnants of conception in the uterus, allergic reactions to anethesia — among others. The legalization and regulation of abortion began in the 20th century, with various countries adopting different approaches.

Debates and controversies over abortion continue to shape public policy and social attitudes worldwide as abortion remains to be a diverse topic among cultures where many people agree and disagree about.

Societal attitudes toward abortion have evolved significantly over time. In ancient societies, abortion was often practiced without significant stigma, but as religious and moral beliefs evolved, attitudes toward abortion became more restrictive. In the Middle Ages, abortion was generally condemned by the Christian church. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, abortion was criminalized in many parts of the world, leading to unsafe and often deadly procedures. However, as medical knowledge advanced and women began advocating for reproductive rights, attitudes began to shift. The 20th century saw a gradual trend toward the legalization and regulation of abortion in many countries. This was influenced by factors such as advancements in contraception, changing social norms, and women’s rights movements. In 1970’s, USA had legalized abortion which had sparked debates around the world. Since then, societal attitudes toward abortion have remained deeply divided, with ongoing debates over issues such as reproductive rights, women’s autonomy, and the rights of the unborn. However, there has been a general trend toward greater acceptance of abortion as a reproductive choice, particularly in Western societies. Nonetheless, abortion remains a highly contentious and politicized issue in many parts of the world.