Do abortions hurt? How long does the pain last?
Are abortions painful? Do they hurt?
Is there any method of a painless abortion?
How long will the pain from abortion last?
When can I resume my routine activities after an abortion?
Discovering an unwanted pregnancy may come as an unexpected thing. And it is natural to have anxiety while you are figuring out your next options. With anxiety, queries do come whether invited or not. And if you too are undergoing this emotional phase, please relax.
This post intends to help you find answers when you are on verge of deciding to have an abortion due to fear of pain.
Let’s get started!
Do abortions hurt? Are they painful?
Each individual has a unique abortion experience. So, your abortion experience can be entirely different from what someone else may have experienced.
However, when speaking of pain and hurt, most women undergoing safe abortions can manage discomfort easily. But unsafe abortions can hurt women not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.
Even with safe abortions, the level of pain may depend on a variety of factors like:
- Length of pregnancy
- Method of abortion
- Medical condition of the patient including her medical history and current condition.
- Woman’s tolerance to pain.
- And of course, her emotional health.
- Abortion care at the Abortion clinic by the performing team.
So, now let us understand the depth of each of these factors and how much they can make an abortion painful or painless.
Abortion pain varies with the pregnancy length:
Do you know how far you are in your pregnancy whilst looking for your abortion options?
You may be knowing your Last Menstrual Period (LMP). From the first day of your LMP, start counting the weeks or the days. This is the length of your pregnancy.
However, it may be best for you to visit a registered abortion clinic. You shall learn about your pregnancy’s exact length and location.
The gynecologist may ask for some clinical investigation and an ultrasound. They are essential before prescribing the best abortion method.
So, how does the pain with abortion vary with this gestation length?
The embryo size grows each day. Earlier your are, smaller is the embryo size. Even the products of gestation will be very few. And therefore, you may be easily able to pass out the conception products just as bigger clots.
Do you experience pain during your monthly periods? If yes, abortion pain with abortion pills may be quite similar. However, since the pills work by creating abdominal cramps, pain is an obvious observation.
The majority of women claim the pain to be as similar as the periods but just need some rest to fight the fatigue.
With the progressing pregnancy, the embryo size gets bigger. Even the uterine lining thickens and there is more placental tissue. So, more abdominal cramps would be required to clean the womb. And hence, more abdominal cramps may mean more pain.
This is the case of pregnancy termination with the help of abortion pills. This means up to 6-8 weeks into your pregnancy.
Abortion pills are prescribed or are recommended to be used only for up to 8 weeks at maximum. Abortion pills may not evacuate the womb contents completely beyond this period. And this presents the complications of incomplete abortion.
The abortion method also changes with increase in pregnancy length. Beyond 8 weeks, suction abortion is preferred above abortion pills. And after 12 weeks, up to 20 weeks (Considering India since abortion in India is legal for up to 20 weeks in normal cases), surgical abortion is preferred.
Although suction and surgical abortions are recommended to be performed under anesthesia to make them painless. However, the pain with abortion may vary with the procedure and doctor. The abortion care received by the patient decides her experience.
Abortion pain varies with the abortion method:
Just as mentioned above, abortion methods vary with the pregnancy length and so is the pain. So, here is the pain you can expect from an abortion according to the prescribed method.
Pain with the medical method of abortion:
The medical method of abortion is the earliest choice to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. The two abortion medicines, Mifepristone and Misoprostol work together.
The first pill is Mifepristone and when you take it, you won’t feel much difference if the pain is what you are expecting. The doctor shall either prescribe you an MTP kit that you can buy from any pharmacy with the prescription. Or you may get the medicine and take it while at the abortion clinic.
This medicine has the job to stop Progesterone’s production in your body and also block its action. After taking this pill(s), the embryo growth will stop. The hormone Progesterone is essential for the growth and development of the pregnancy. Being an anti-progestin, Mifepristone stops this action.
Now, the second abortion medicine is Misoprostol. If you get to buy the MTP kit, you will find it having both abortion pills. You will receive directions for taking them at home by the doctor.
Or if you got Mifepristone at the hospital, then the doctor may give you Misoprostol. You can take it at home after a day or two. The doctor will advise you when and how to take the medicine.
Mifepristone and Misoprostol, both are eligible for oral and intravaginal administration. This is not painful.
Then, what makes abortion pills painful?
After you take the second pill, Misoprostol, the process of expulsion of the embryo will begin. This medicine triggers abdominal contractions that may or may not be painful. Most women when taking abortion pills quite as early as the 5th or 6th week into pregnancy mark it as a heavy period.
However, each woman responds differently to abortion pills. Some may feel it as moderate pain and others may claim it to be severe abdominal cramping and pain.
Pain as mentioned above may vary with the gestation period. More is the pregnancy length, more will be the work needed to clean the womb. And, hence, more may be the pain. However, you can expect pain management medicines along with the prescription to help you relax. But do not self-administer any analgesics (pain relievers) on your own. Don’t even attempt a self-abortion with pills.
Some analgesics may interfere with abortion pills working by relaxing the contractions. As a result, some gestation products may remain in the uterine cavity. This may lead to an incomplete abortion. And an incomplete abortion needs surgical intervention as a correction.
Bleeding with abortion pills may last up to weeks. It may not account for pain, but discomfort and fatigue are expected outcomes.
When women self-administer abortion pills, they may have an estimate of the length of pregnancy. But they may not know its location. They may also not know whether they are eligible for abortion with abortion pills. Dose adjustment and method of administration are also best decided by a qualified and experienced doctor.
Besides these, there are multiple risks with self-abortion using abortion pills. They may be very painful. And therefore, you should not buy abortion pills without consultation with a doctor.
Pain with the Suction abortion:
Suction abortion is also known as the Vacuum Aspiration method of abortion. It is the recommended method for terminating pregnancies less than 12 weeks. It is a safe and gentle procedure. However, slight discomfort may be there since the method involves inserting slender medical tools in the womb through the cervix.
To ease the pain and help the patient stay relaxed, she may either get a strong analgesic intravenously. This may ease the pain and keep the patient slightly dizzy.
Before dilating the cervix for the aspirator to move in easily, a local anesthetic agent may be used to numb the cervix. And then the embryo and other gestation products can be effectively aspirated from the womb.
Or the doctor may even choose to give general anesthesia to the patient for a short-term. Then, the abortion procedure is easily done. The process involves inserting a slender tube called Vacurette inside the cervix. It is a disposable tube that sucks the embryo and placental tissue when suction is applied.
An aspirator is attached at the other end which is turned on when the doctor seems fit. All the contents of the womb get gently sucked and removed through the tube. They collect in a collection bottle also attached to the tube at an end.
The doctor evaluates the collected gestation products. Spooning is done to remove any remaining products. The woman may not feel the pain when she receives pain medication and the procedure done under anesthesia.
Usually, abdominal cramps, bleeding and mild pain may last for a couple of days. But the use of the latest techniques can shorten this length and make the post-abortion recovery quick.
Gentle care Painless suction abortion in Bangalore, India:
You can contact the American Hospital Bangalore (AHB), a registered abortion hospital for a Gentle Care and painless suction abortion. Suction abortion at AHB does not hurt.
The hospital is a provider of premier Gentle Care painless abortions with personalized care. Patients have trusted the hospital for its Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) services over years.
Suction abortion at AHB lasts no more than 3-10 minutes. It is available as a single-day single-appointment procedure. The patient can avail of it as an OPD in-clinic abortion with same-day discharge within an hour post-abortion.
Most women do not bleed for more than 2-3 days. Some experience zero bleeding since most of the contents are evacuated within the clinic. Post-abortion supplements and dietary guidance are prescribed before discharge. They help the patient to heal early and resume normal life within a couple of days.
The hospital caters to patients from across the country and the world. Even Malayali women living in the Middle East countries often travel to AHB for its painless abortions. They prefer travelling to Bangalore rather than Kerala for abortion services.
If you are struggling with an unwanted pregnancy and looking for your options in a country that offers legal abortions, then look no further than American Hospital Bangalore for the best abortion care.
Pain with the Surgical Abortion:
Surgical abortion, the name itself has surgery in it. And pain is an expected and obvious thing associated with the word itself. But the truth is that a surgical abortion may be a painless abortion when performed with the right abortion care.
Surgical abortion is also known as Dilatation and Evacuation (D&E). It is the method to terminate pregnancies that have progressed beyond 12 weeks but are still in the legally permissible age. Abortion in India is legal for up to 20 weeks in normal cases. And hence, D&E abortions are prescribed for terminating pregnancies in the second trimester.
In this trimester, the embryo size and the volume of gestation products are high. Therefore, suction may not be efficient in removing all the contents. Therefore, the cervix dilation is done using dilators. The doctor inserts sterile medical tools within the uterine cavity. Then, the uterine lining is abraded using forceps and suction applied to remove all the gestation products.
Since D&E abortion is slightly invasive, it is best performed under local or general anesthesia. And the procedure requires accuracy and precision to avoid risks with surgical abortions. Bleeding and mild to moderate abdominal cramping may last for up to 1-2 days. Bleeding may range from zero to spotting to mild.
Always visit the best abortion hospital for a surgical abortion. Unsafe surgical abortion can lead to internal injury, hemorrhage, injury to reproductive organs, infections and more. Some abortion complications can even be fatal. Therefore, never fall for an unsafe abortion method and risk your health and/or life.
So, this was how an abortion method and associated pain vary. Now, let’s see how the patient’s medical condition can affect the abortion pain.
Medical history of the patient and pain with abortion:
Some women suffer from medical conditions at the time of the abortion. Their medical condition may also impact how they may respond to pain with abortion. Anemic patients may experience more pain due to fatigue.
Patients who are deficient in certain vitamins like Vitamin D and calcium may also experience pain in the back and pelvic muscles. Some women may be experiencing hormonal disturbances that can also impact the pain.
Patients suffering from severe diseases may respond differently to the pain.
However, if you choose to visit the right abortion clinic, the doctor shall evaluate your medical condition before the abortion. With complete diagnosis and evaluation, each patient is prescribed the best abortion method.
The choice of medicines may also vary according to the patient’s medical conditions and allergies. Always tell your doctor if you are taking any medicine so that contraindicated medicines are avoided.
With all things considered before performing an abortion, complications are ruled out and pain avoided.
The actual pain with the existing medical condition of a patient varies during her post-abortion recovery. If she is suffering from other problems, she may need a different regimen of post-abortion medicines.
Always choose an experienced doctor and a hospital equipped with all facilities to manage emergencies. All abortion-related complications are avoidable and abortion can be a gentle experience.
Woman’s tolerance to abortion pain:
Each woman is different and has a different tolerance to pain. The threshold of one woman for the pain may vary from the other woman. Besides, fear and anxiety can trigger a woman’s feeling for pain than any other woman.
It is absolutely normal to expect a woman to say she had a very bad abortion pain. And another one speaking of a hassle-free and painless abortion experience.
How do a woman’s emotional health impact abortion pain?
Each woman is different and her emotional strength is also different. Some may be very strong and they know that what’s right for them. Once they decide to undergo an abortion, they are ready to go ahead with it safely.
While some other women struggle with what is right or what is wrong. They may suffer from emotional pain rather than physical pain. And pregnancy itself triggers emotional changes in women. With unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, a woman may respond strongly or nervously to these triggers.
Such women can be helped with a caring and compassionate abortion team. Getting the right abortion care and psychological support throughout the abortion journey can make abortions painless.
Abortion pain from stigma:
Speaking truly, abortion pain is not just the physical pain to the body. It may also include emotional or mental pain. This varies according to the abortion treatment a woman receives when she seeks an abortion.
For instance, abortions and stigma may be synonymous in some countries or cities or societies. When women seek abortions there, they may receive harsh comments or abortions may be denied to them. Abortion in many countries like Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait are both illegal and stigmatized.
And at some other places, abortions may not be so much stigmatized. Abortion in India is legal. However, abortion in cities of Kerala like Thrissur, Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Kochi is seen with more stigma as compared to abortion in Bangalore.
Women from Kerala often choose to travel to Bangalore for abortion only to avoid this pain.
Pain from a judgmental abortion:
Furthermore, abortion in India is legal for both married women and unmarried girls. However, unmarried girls and single women often become victims of abortion stigma. Sometimes, they are turned away saying that they cannot obtain an abortion as unmarried.
At other times, they are asked to bring their parents. And even if they manage to get an abortion, they may receive rude comments and become a victim of suspicious stares. They may receive cruel statements that can cause mental or emotional bruises.
They are not only judged for seeking an abortion but also for a premarital sexual relationship. These things are absolutely personal choices of each woman or girl. And being adults, they can choose to avail safe and legal abortions for unwanted pregnancies.
Confidential abortion is yet another thing that can impact a woman’s pain. It is fear. Indian abortion law respects the same. And it has made it compulsory to keep each patient’s medical details confidential. Any person or hospital that contravenes this law is legally punishable.
However, visiting some general hospitals with huge crowds can compromise the privacy. Staying in a general ward after recovery from the procedure may also get you spotted by a neighbor or someone you may not want to encounter at this time. It is advisable to seek a private abortion at a private abortion clinic that offers safe, legal and confidential abortions.
Prejudices, judgements and stigma may make abortion more painful than physical pain. Some scars heal with time. But mental and emotional scars may last lifelong. Abortion should be a comfortable experience for any woman just like any other medical procedure. She should not feel its pain that impacts her personal or social or professional life.
Abortion care at the Abortion clinic by the performing team:
Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) starts pre-abortion and lasts through post-abortion recovery. Right medical and emotional treatment to a woman seeking abortion can make her abortion a comfortable experience.
If the treating doctors, nurses and other medical assistant staff are highly competent, well-qualified, trained and experienced in safe abortion procedures, then half of the job is already done. Safe abortion is onboard.
And if the abortion team is highly professional and compassionate, then another half of a safe abortion is done. Pain is perceived from physical pain receptors and mental and emotional triggers. So, the right treatment, caring behavior, non-judgmental attitude can make abortion experience painless, healthy and happy.
So, it is a collective abortion experience and not just the pain.
If you are seeking a painless and comfortable abortion experience, do not delay.
Schedule an early appointment for a Gentle Care abortion at American Hospital Bangalore today.
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