Whatever be the reason for abortion, it almost always invokes multiple emotions. However, what you experience and when is entirely personal and varies from woman to woman and couple to couple. While some struggle through them immediately, in others, the feeling is recorded much later and suddenly. 

What is important here, is to know that, you are not alone. Whatever you may be  experiencing, is almost always a shared feeling with many others. The best is to give it time,  spend some time with the people you love, and do things that make you happy.

 However, in case the strange feeling refuses to leave, we strongly recommend you see a counselor. Sometimes, it is best to seek professional help instead of struggling personally. 

Myths-Abortion is illegal in India.

Facts- No, abortion is legal in India since more than 4 decades and was first sanctioned under MTP Act, 1971. 

Myths-Abortion is legal for only married women in India.

Facts-No, under the new MTP Amendment Act, 2021, abortion is a legally sanctioned option for both married and unmarried women in India and the law does not differ on consent. 

Myths-You need your husband’s consent before an abortion.

Facts-No. The Indian laws recognize only the woman’s consent as primary and last. This is why the decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy is entirely yours until the first 20 weeks.* Your husband/ partner’s consent is neither needed nor matters. 

Myths-Abortion can only be performed until 20 weeks in India.

Facts-Technically yes. But, the law extends this timeline for special cases, that is when the pregnancy is a result of sexual assault such as rape. In such cases, the extended timeline is 24 weeks. 

Myths-Abortion is unsafe.

Facts-No. when performed by a trained and specialized OB-gynecologist, it is a very safe, one of the most common, and minimum risk procedures. It is unsafe only when performed at home/ unsafe places or by quacks using unverified home remedies. 

Myths-Abortion is a very long process.

Facts-No, abortion is quick and typically, a less than 60-minute procedure. You can in fact go home the same day after a little rest. 

Myths-Abortion can leave a scar.

Facts-No. Abortion does not leave scars. It is performed through a gentle suction-like effect across the vaginal route. Since no cut or incision is marked, it leaves no scar. 

Myths-Abortion affects future pregnancies.

Facts-No. When performed by a trained OB-Gynecologist, it is absolutely safe and does not affect future pregnancies. You will become fertile right next month and be able to conceive again.  

Myths-Any gynecologist can perform an abortion.

Facts-No, only an OB- Gynecologist licensed under the MTP act can perform an abortion. 

There are a number of birth control methods to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Varying on your frequency of sexual intercourse, desire for further childbirth, and personal comfort or choices, you may choose among any of the following:

• Immediate Contraceptive: These include barrier methods such as male or female condoms. They are economical and almost 80-95% effective. They have no hormonal side effects, also help prevent STIs, and are one of the most commonly used forms of birth control. 

• Regular Contraceptive: These include regular hormonal pills. While some are a combination of both estrogen and progesterone, some are only estrogen-based. When taken regularly at the same time, they prevent ovulation. With no eggs, the risk of unwanted pregnancy is reduced to less than 1%. However, what is important is, you must take this every single day, at the same time. A single miss could lower and compromise the effectiveness. 

• Emergency Contraceptive: Emergency contraceptives, as the name suggests, is taken as emergency birth control post unprotected sex. It is a hormone-based pill that can be taken the latest until the first 72 hours of intercourse and are around 85-90% effective. However, as obvious to the name, they must be taken only in cases of emergencies and not more than twice in a month. Else, they run a risk of dis-balancing your hormones and causing irregular cycles. 

• Reversible Contraceptive: These include artificial insemination such as intrauterine devices (for example copper IUD, implant, or hormonal IUD). They are reversible in nature, that is, they can be removed when wanted. However, unless voluntarily removed, they work for roughly 3-5 years and prevent pregnancy with over 99% efficacy. Today, they are one of the second most common methods of birth control for women immediately after first childbirth.  

• Permanent Vasectomy and tubal litigation: These methods are permanent in nature and over 99% effective. In women, it is called tubal litigation. Here, her fallopian tubes are twisted and litigated to prevent the transfer of sperm and eventual pregnancy. 

In men, it is called vasectomy. Here, minor surgery is performed to cut the vas deferens tube. This blocks the sperm to meet with semen and hence terminates any chances of pregnancy. Both methods are one of the safest and permanent solutions with little to no risk of side effects/ complications.