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Abortion is both a safe and legal option in India. Following is a complete guide to a woman’s every question, including procedure options, cost, legalities, complications, and more.
Abortion is both a safe and legal option in India. Following is a complete guide to a woman’s every question, including procedure options, cost, ... Read More
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Abortion, as the name suggests, is the procedure to abort or end an unwanted pregnancy. In India, it is a legally sanctioned option for both married and unmarried women and can be performed until the first 20 weeks* under the following 4 grounds:
As a procedure, it is one of the safest, most common, and minimal risks procedures. It bears no risks on future pregnancies and marks no scar. However, it must be performed only by a trained and licensed OB-GYN and only at a registered clinic (under MTP act, 1971).
Abortion at any other facility, such as home or an unsafe place, or by an unauthorized doctor is extremely risky and can lead to severe complications such as incomplete abortion, infection, and at times, death. According to WHO, unsafe abortions are the third leading cause of maternal deaths in India.
If you have conceived an unwanted pregnancy, and decide to terminate it, we suggest you do not delay the abortion procedure. The earlier the abortion, the better, safer, and economical.
Also, a delayed decision may also bring you in conflict with the law. The Indian State allows termination of unwanted pregnancy only until 20 weeks in regular cases, and 24 weeks in special cases such as- when the woman is a victim of sexual assault, example- rape or incest, or, the woman is differently-abled or of a minor age (under 18 years).
You can read more about the legal limitations and rights on abortion in India here.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound is a sound-based imaging test. That is, it uses high-frequency sound waves to paint the internal image of the abdominal organs based on echo.
Based on the number of weeks in pregnancy, either of the following may be suggested to determine the best course of terminating the pregnancy:
Risks and Complications of Unsafe Abortion
Unsafe abortion is any abortion performed outside of a medically verified vicinity or by an untrained or unqualified person.
More than 64 lakh pregnancies are terminated in India every year while only a portion is performed legally and under proper medical guidance. While quite common, unsafe abortions are extremely risky. It could lead to:
In fact, India reports an average of 10 deaths every day because of unsafe abortions, thus marking it the third most common reason for maternal deaths. Therefore we suggest, you trust only a well-qualified, trained, and experienced OB-Gynecologist for the pregnancy termination and seek only MTP registered clinics.
Abortion for Minor Women in India (less than 18 years)
Safe abortion is a legal option for both minor and adult women in India.
However, you would need your guardian’s consent for the procedure when under 18 years. Nevertheless, once attested, any licensed gynecologist can perform the abortion service across any MTP clinic throughout India*.
*Sex with any women under 18 years of age (with or without consent) is categorized as ‘rape’ in India and hence your doctor is under a legal liability to inform the police. Post a few hours of investigation, your doctor would be allowed to perform the procedure.
Since the abortion here is directly or indirectly a result of forced sexual assault, the law views it as a special case, and the woman is entitled to a safe abortion until her first 24 weeks of pregnancy (on the recommendation of two doctors).
The best method for abortion depends on mainly 2 factors-
The other decision-making factors include- the need for abortion, the patient’s general health, limitations, and personal preferences. Depending on the same, either of the following may be suggested-
If you fear or feel an unwanted pregnancy, we suggest you consult your doctor at the first sign of pregnancy, that is,
Early Weeks of Normal Pregnancy
Normal pregnancy until 8-9 weeks can be aborted through a combination of 2 medicines (commonly known as RU486). However, medical abortion persues heavy & prolonged bleeding and cramping and must be followed by an ultrasound to endure complete expulsion. Therefore, doctors often suggest surgical abortion post 5 weeks to ease the patient’s pain and discomfort.
Medications: Medical termination of pregnancy involves using a combination of two different medicines- mifepristone and misoprostol. The first pill is given by the doctor in the clinic, whereas the second one is taken at home by the patient herself. While ‘mifepristone’ blocks the necessary hormone for pregnancy and detaches the embryo from the uterine wall, ‘misoprostol’ causes the uterus to contract and open the cervix slightly to expel the pregnancy.
Typically, expulsion is very painful, prolonged, and causes discomforting cramps. Therefore, it may take you a little over 7-10 days to expel the pregnancy completely. After the expulsion, a necessary ultrasound exam must be taken within 15 days to ensure complete abortion.
Later Weeks of Normal Pregnancy
Normal pregnancy post 8-9 weeks can only be aborted through surgical intervention. A common procedure then is D&C (dilation and curettage). It is quick, bladeless, painless, and ensures complete expulsion with the same-day discharge.
First, the doctor gives you the medicine for the dilation of the cervix. This is particularly important for the pregnancy tissue to expel out of the birth canal. It may take 30-40 minutes or more. Then, once the cervix is dilated, the surgeon uses a curettage instrument to remove all the pregnancy tissues out of the uterus. Soon after a few hours, the cervix contracts naturally and the pregnancy is ended without any cuts or sutures.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is a nonviable pregnancy and must be ended at the earliest possible. Else, it poses life-threatening risks to the mother’s health. The method of removal changes according to the type of ectopic pregnancy. For example-
These too, are painless procedures performed under anesthesia. However, they may require 1-2 days of hospitalization. You can read more about the procedure, recovery, and other information about ectopic pregnancy here.
Molar Pregnancy
Molar pregnancy (both partial mole and complete mole) is a non-viable pregnancy that must be ended at the earliest detected. Else, it poses a grave risk to the mother’s health. Typically, it is removed by the dilation and curettage (D&C) method followed by methotrexate medicine. You can read more about its procedure, recovery, and other information here.
How to Prepare for Abortion?
However, sweet and touching experience a child-birth maybe, it is equally and more great and life long responsibility. If you feel you are not ready yet or the pregnancy is unsupported physically/ mentally or emotionally, it is best you think thoroughly, discuss with the most trusted of your friends, seek counsel and make your own decision.
Your consent is primary.
Once decided, a few steps that can help you prepare better for the procedure are:
What to Expect During the Surgery
Care After the Surgery
Insurance coverage of abortion depends on the reason for undertaking the treatment. That is, the cost claim is covered when done under medical reasons and advised by the doctor, however, refused when taken because of voluntary choice.
Medical reasons mostly include-
If your particular policy includes the coverage for reproductive and maternal health and the reason for abortion is either of the above, it is mostly covered under insurance by all major health care and insurance providers in India.
However, when not advised by the doctor and rather taken as a voluntary choice because of a personal reason, the procedure is not covered under insurance.
For more information or specific clarities, please call us directly.
We understand the need for abortion and are focused at providing you a safe space. Therefore, when you choose Pristyn Care, rest assured you are choosing a safe, risk-free, and seamless abortion service free of moral judgments.
Some of our USPs are:
Booking an appointment with Pristyn Care is extremely simple.
No. Though the pain itself is very subjective in nature, medical science says that a fetus cannot feel any pain or sensation up until at least 20 weeks after conception because the nervous system doesn’t develop fully.
Yes, abortion is legal in India up until the first 20 weeks of gestation. You can seek the same on the following grounds-
Yes, if your gestation period is under 20 weeks and your doctor finds you medically fit for an abortion, you can undergo an abortion at any registered clinic by a licensed practitioner in India. However, you require your parents or guardian’s consent for the same. We understand that the same may be difficult for many women as they may fear absolute unacceptance or extreme reactions to it. However, in real-time, most of these fears never really actualize. What we fear doesn’t always happen. This is why we suggest you try telling your parents or at least one of them. They, too, have gone through the same age, and there is a high probability that they would understand, accept and help you. If you want, maybe you first take the help from someone you trust in the family or seek help from a women’s NGO/ council. But, abortion is a highly critical decision and under no circumstance should you rely only on home- remedies or unsafe/ unrecognized methods or shady clinics. The complications can be extremely severe and may pose a life risk.
No, under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,1971, the Indian law views conception, continuation and abortion as an extremely private and sacrosanct right of the woman herself. This is why, if you are above 18, fall within the gestation limit for the pregnancy and are medically fit for an abortion, no doctor can legally ask you for your husband’s consent.
No. If you fear an unwanted pregnancy, we suggest you seek medical help at the earliest. Home remedies/ unsafe abortion practices have multiple complications such as-.
Early diagnosis is the key to make the right and informed choice on an unwanted pregnancy. The earliest you can diagnose a pregnancy is a week after your missed period. Some of the early signs of pregnancy include nausea, vomiting, tenderness of the breast, mild pelvic cramping, bloating, raised basal body temperature and constant fatigue or tiredness. If you sense some of these symptoms after a week/ two of your intercourse and record a missed period, we suggest you take an at-home- pregnancy test. These are readily available over the counter and are quick and private. If the strip suggests a pregnancy, we recommend immediate medical help for both, confirmation and further decision to continue/ terminate the pregnancy.
Yes, typically, the at-home pregnancy test kits are 99% accurate, but in rare cases, they can also show a false positive/ negative. Therefore, once the strip suggests a pregnancy, we recommend you also seek medical help for confirmation. Your doctor can confirm the exact status of your pregnancy through more advanced tests like- blood tests and pelvic ultrasound
No. Surgical abortion is always performed under the influence of local/ general/ spinal anesthesia. This is why it is painless. However, as you pass your pregnancy over the next few days, you are likely to experience moderate-intense cramping and blood flow. But, please do not worry. This is completely normal, and you should feel better within the next 3-7 days.
No, when done under safe conditions, by trained doctors and in legalised clinics, abortion is one of the safest ways to terminate a pregnancy. But, the same can not be guaranteed for at-home remedies/ shady- unregistered clinics. In fact, the reports say that one in ten women dies almost every day in India because of unsafe abortion practices. This is why we suggest you trust only licensed practitioners and legalised clinics for your abortion decision.
Surgical abortions are usually a very swift procedure. Depending on the procedure and technique you opt for, it may take anywhere between 30- 40 minutes.
Yes, STP is a minor surgery and minimally invasive in nature. It is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and you can go home the same day. However, since passing a pregnancy is moderate- intensely discomforting with heavy cramping and blood flow, we suggest you take good rest at home and indulge in self-care.
No, STP as a procedure is done through a suction effect on your vagina. Since no incisions are made, it leaves no scars.
Yes, absolutely. Right after you pass your pregnancy, you would ovulate again and become fertile in the same month. Abortion, when performed safely, has no negative effect on a woman’s fertility. In fact, you shall re-enter your regular menstrual cycle by the eighth-week post expulsion.
Passing an abortion is a very personal experience, and the pain may differ from woman to woman. Typically, you are likely to experience moderate-intense cramping and heavy blood flow for up to the next one-two weeks. Here, it is important you listen to your body and decide what works best personally for you. If you feel well-rested, and work makes you feel better, you may resume normal activities the very next day, and if not, we suggest you take a little break, rest well, use heat pads, take a good diet and slowly resume work as you feel better.
