What is Abortion?
Although becoming a parent is one of the biggest dreams of most people, in some cases it may be necessary to terminate the pregnancy. The fetus, pregnancy tissue and placenta can be removed by surgical intervention or special medications. All these procedures are called abortion. The legal abortion period in Turkey is 10 weeks. Abortion procedures to be performed without exceeding this period should be performed in a sterile environment and by a specialist doctor.
Abortion can be performed for two different reasons: voluntary or compulsory abortion. Compulsory abortion is performed with the approval of a specialist doctor due to health and some legal grounds. Voluntary abortion is when a couple is not yet ready for the care and presence of a baby and wants to terminate the pregnancy due to personal goals such as financial inadequacy or career. In both cases, the termination of pregnancy must be performed in a sterile environment and by a specialist doctor. Otherwise, the mother's health may be at risk and serious complications such as infection may occur.
How is an abortion performed?
Having an abortion is seen as a frightening procedure by women. However, this procedure is carried out in a very short time and painlessly. Vacuum abortion is the most commonly used method. Vacuum abortion, which has a minimal risk compared to other methods, is the removal of the fetus from the mother's uterus with the help of a thin plastic tube called a cannula and a plastic syringe. This procedure, which is performed under general or local anesthesia depending on the patient's condition, can be completed in about 10-15 minutes. After the procedure, people can be discharged after a 1-hour observation period.
There may be a minimal infection problem after the abortion procedure. Infection can be seen in a sterile environment and even in centers specially prepared for this procedure, such as an abortion hospital.
What are the Types of Abortion?
Today, there are different options for women who want or have to have an abortion. The procedure to be performed must be performed with the approval of a doctor. The most common abortion types applied today are as follows:
Medication Abortion
Medication abortion is the termination of pregnancy with medication given by a doctor without any surgical operation or anesthesia. These drugs, which help the uterus to contract and empty, show their effect within 24 hours. It is recommended that the person be under the supervision of a doctor before and after the procedure.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is the surgical removal of the fetus in the womb. Vacuum abortion is one of the most commonly used surgical abortions. People are given local or general anesthesia before the procedure. The whole procedure can be completed in a very short time, approximately 10-15 minutes. After the surgical abortion, patients are usually kept under observation for 1 hour and then discharged. In addition to vacuum removal, evacuation curettage and dilatation are also applied within the scope of surgical abortion.
When should an abortion be performed?
There is a certain time limit for people who want or have to terminate their pregnancy. The legal period for termination of pregnancy in Turkey is 10 weeks. The recommended time for women to have a healthy and trouble-free abortion is 5 or 6 weeks. People who have passed the 10th week of pregnancy are not subject to voluntary termination of pregnancy. Abortion is not a method of birth control. Frequent abortions negatively affect the possibility of having children in the future. If you are not ready for pregnancy, appropriate birth control methods should be applied in consultation with a specialist doctor.
What Should Be Considered After Abortion?
After abortion; women are recommended to rest for the first few days following the procedure in order to recover quickly. Medications prescribed by the doctor should be used regularly, care should be taken to keep the vagina clean and dry, and sexual intercourse should be avoided for a few days. Women who do not want to get pregnant again after abortion are advised to use the contraceptive pill prescribed by the specialist doctor, to use protection during intercourse and to apply other contraceptive methods if necessary. Because frequent abortions are not recommended in unwanted pregnancies. Frequent abortion can negatively affect both the mother's health and the possibility of having children again in the future.
What are the side effects that may occur after an abortion?
Abortion is an extremely fast and easy operation. However, some changes can be seen after the procedure due to the week in which the pregnancy was terminated, the type of abortion performed and the structure of the person. Regardless of whether voluntary or compulsory abortion is applied, women may experience depression, especially psychologically. This situation is quite normal and if it lasts for a long time, support from a specialist doctor should be sought. In addition to psychological changes, the woman may also experience abdominal pain, cramps and uterine contractions.
Side effects of the medication given after medication abortion may occur. Nausea and diarrhea are the most common side effects after this procedure. Similarly, women may experience pain and bleeding after surgical abortion. In such cases, it is recommended to take medication recommended by the doctor. In case of pain that does not go away and increases in intensity continuously, a doctor should be consulted.
What is Compulsory Abortion?
Abortion can be in two different forms: compulsory and voluntary. Compulsory abortion can be seen in the health condition of the mother and in some legal cases. Mandatory abortion can be performed in health problems such as high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, diagnosed cancer, fetal anomalies or the baby's heart stopping while in the womb. The legal grounds for compulsory abortion are pregnancies of girls under the age of 18, disabled individuals and pregnancies resulting from sexual assault.
Frequently Asked Questions about Abortion
Does Abortion Affect Fertility?
Women who have had an abortion are most curious about the possibility of this procedure affecting subsequent pregnancies. It is possible to get pregnant again after an abortion. However, abortion performed in a non-sterile environment, with incorrect applications or by someone other than a specialist doctor can cause permanent problems.
Does an abortion hurt?
Surgical abortion is performed in a surgical setting and under general or local anesthesia. For this reason, there is no severe pain during or after the procedure. Likewise, the level of pain in medication abortion is minimal.
What is the abortion price?
Abortion price may vary according to many different factors. The price of abortion in a public hospital is more affordable compared to private hospitals. Likewise, vacuum abortion prices may vary according to criteria such as the number of weeks of pregnancy. For this reason, the most accurate and healthy price information can only be obtained after a doctor's examination.
Is Abortion Necessary After a Miscarriage?
Abortion after a miscarriage is not considered very necessary. However, due to the pain and bleeding that does not go away after the miscarriage, in short, in incomplete miscarriages, it may be decided to have an abortion after the examination in order to clean the uterus completely.
Are There Complications During Abortion?
Abortions performed in a suitable and sterile environment can usually be completed with minimal complications. However, since everyone's constitution differs, complications such as uterine injury, intrauterine infection, severe abdominal pain and heavy bleeding can be seen, albeit rarely.
