Is Induced Abortion Dangerous?
Induced abortion refers to the period between the 13th and 27th weeks of pregnancy, when it is not advisable to continue the pregnancy due to systemic diseases in the mother (such as severe heart disease, severe anemia, renal insufficiency, etc.), or due to congenital diseases or deformities in the fetus. In such cases, artificial methods are used to induce uterine contractions to terminate the pregnancy, which is referred to as induced abortion. It involves taking measures to cause uterine contractions to end the pregnancy, hence the colloquial term "inducing labor," which means artificially initiating childbirth. Once effective, the process of delivery begins, and the entire process is identical to that of natural labor.
So, is induced abortion dangerous?
Gynecological experts explain that oxytocin, the most commonly used drug for induction of labor, has a long history and causes no significant side effects. As for prostaglandins, they are newer drugs for inducing labor with better results than oxytocin. The main side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, these can be alleviated with vitamin B6, metoclopramide, and diphenoxylate. Occasionally, red spots may appear at the site of intravenous injection, but they disappear after discontinuing the medication, making them inconsequential. Therefore, under normal circumstances, induced abortion is not dangerous.
However, if the induced abortion is incomplete, there may be residual placental or membrane tissue, necessitating a curettage procedure. If the curettage is not performed promptly, it can lead to massive bleeding, posing a threat to life.
Additionally, during the process of induced abortion, strong uterine contractions combined with a small and less elastic cervical opening often result in birth canal injuries. If the fetal position is unclear or the fetus is deformed before the induction, it may obstruct the descent of the fetus during delivery, preventing vaginal delivery and leading to uterine rupture. Women with a history of perforation during previous abortions or multiple abortions may have old scars on the uterine wall. During subsequent deliveries, due to strong uterine contractions, uterine rupture can easily occur. Therefore, it is essential to conduct pre-induction examinations to understand the patient's physical condition and minimize risks.
Experts remind that women suffering from severe heart, liver, kidney, lung, or blood diseases; reproductive tract inflammation (such as vaginitis, severe cervical erosion, pelvic inflammatory disease); scarred uterus; recurrent vaginal bleeding during pregnancy; or being in the acute phase of various diseases, with oral temperature exceeding 37.5°C on the day of the procedure, should not undergo induced abortion surgery. Additionally, women should avoid sexual intercourse three days before the procedure to prevent infections that could harm their bodies.
This article is excerpted from the official website of Changchun Gynecology Hospital. Original address: http://www.tjfk999.com/wutongrenliu//201105262552.html. For more information on gynecological diseases, please visit the official website of Changchun Gynecology Hospital.