Dear Alice,
Could you possibly do me a favor? I have one question. What is worse for
women's health: usual vacuum abortion or induced (stimulated) childbirth
using drugs like prostaglandins?
Does induced abortion in the third trimester, (seventh month), limit the
possibility of a woman to have children in future? How does induced
birth, (abortion), in third trimester influence her health? Also, what drugs
are being used for the purpose of termination of late pregnancy, (third or
late second trimester)? Thank you.
Curious.
Dear Curious,
A first trimester vacuum aspiration abortion is safer than a second
trimester abortion using medication, such as prostaglandins.
Elective induced abortion can be legally obtained in the United States up
until the viability of the fetus. That is, until the 24th
week of pregnancy. Third trimester abortions are extremely rare
in this country, and are performed only for the preservation of the life or
health of the pregnant woman. This is different in some other countries,
where population laws support abortions at any time before the birth.
The three main agents used for second trimester abortions (rarely
used at this point) are hypertonic saline, hypertonic urea, and
prostaglandin E2. These are injected through the abdomen into the
amniotic sac. This would cause uterine contractions, which would expel the
fetus and the placenta.
The more common procedure now used in the second trimester is dilation
and evacuation (D & E), which is safer, faster, and less expensive than
the induced method.
The book, Our Bodies, Ourselves, by The Boston Women's Health
Book Collective, is a wonderful resource. Alice suggests
you read Chapter 16, "If You Think You are Pregnant: Finding Out and
Deciding What to Do," and Chapter 17, "Abortion: Controlling Our
Fertility," for additional information.
It is extremely rare for future pregnancies to be jeopardized by abortion.
Only in the cases of pelvic infection, or of multiple abortions, can
fertility be an issue.
As you can see, the later in the pregnancy an abortion is performed, the
higher the complication rate. If you are more than just "curious," and if
you are in the position of having to decide about a second trimester
abortion for yourself, or if you need the information for a friend, Alice
recommends that you, or she, get medical help as soon as possible.
Columbia students can call Primary Care Medical Services for further
information.
- Alice
Related Q&As
- Effects of multiple abortions
- Does having an abortion hurt?
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Third trimester abortion
