Safe abortion procedures put the woman’s safety first
Last Updated: Jan 22, 2025
Contents of This Post:
- Safe abortion in Bangalore
- Safe abortion methods
- Reasons for unsafe abortions
- Safe abortion care in Bangalore
Abortion in Bangalore, India is legal and permissible by law under certain circumstances. In event of medical terminations of pregnancy, the utilization of safe abortion method is essential.
Until 20 weeks of gestation, abortion is permissible for multiple reasons since the risk to the woman’s health is least. But, beyond 24 weeks, the scope of abortion in India is low. The tapering has been done keeping the woman’s health as the prime concern.
Safe abortion in Bangalore:
When trained, licensed medical professionals perform abortions employing World Health Organization (WHO) prescribed methods, abortion is safe.
An approved and certified Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) centre with experienced gynaecologists ensures the safety of a woman as its priority, while conducting legal and safe abortion procedures. Doctors perform safe abortions following the guidelines about equipment, medications and related facilities.
The legal scope of safe abortion in Bangalore, India:
The legal framework for providing Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) services in India follows the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971. Until 20 weeks of pregnancy, an abortion is permissible if:
- Pregnancy continuation can pose threat to a pregnant woman’s life and can injure her physical and/or mental well-being.
- The fetus will be born as a child with any physical and/or mental abnormalities.
- The pregnancy is a result of rape or unwanted sexual intercourse.
- The unwanted pregnancy is a result of the failure of contraceptives.
Considering the safety of women as a priority, the act also specifies:
- The professionals who can terminate the pregnancy; A registered medical practitioner (RMP) having recognized medical qualification and name entered in the State Medical Register can do the procedure. Sufficient training and experience in gynaecology and obstetrics are also essential for carrying out safe abortions.
- The duration till a pregnancy termination is legal.
- The centres where doctors can perform pregnancy terminations.
- Consent of the woman is necessary before carrying out the abortion procedure. However, if the pregnant woman is minor or mentally ill, guardian consent is essential.
The MTP Act has seen amendments time and again for better implementation and increased access of CAC to all women. First, in 2002, the MTP Act met an amendment and in 2003, specific rules for the same came into being.
Looking into the challenges faced by women in receiving CAC, certain amendments came as a proposal in 2014. CAC guidelines also met revision thereafter.
Safe abortion methods:
Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) recommends women’s health as the major concern throughout the period from conception to post-abortion care.
Unsafe abortions are the third largest cause of maternal mortality in India.1 “Ten women reportedly die due to unsafe abortions every day in India.”2 This is what rang a bell for CAC implementation. It reflects how alarming the situation is and the importance of safe abortion methods. Women’s access to CAC recommended safe abortion methods in approved MTP centres is crucial to their health.
An abortion method is safe if it intends to promote and protect:
- Health of women
- Human rights of women
- Non-discrimination of any kind
- Autonomy in decision-making
- Confidentiality
As recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), three methods come under safe abortion methods. These are briefed here for your reference. Following your medical condition, your gynaecologist will prescribe the safest method for you.
- Medical Abortion (MA)
- Vacuum aspiration (VA)
- Dilatation and Evacuation (D & E)
Medical Abortion:
Medical abortion refers to the usage of safe abortion pills rather than an invasive method as the abortion procedure. It’s also known as Medical Method of Abortion (MMA). This method of abortion is safe up to 6 weeks of gestation. In India, there are two medicines for the purpose, Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
- Mifepristone is an anti-progestin drug that ceases the growth of the fetus. Progesterone is the hormone necessary for the growth of the fetus and Mifepristone blocks its action. So, it is given to initiate the medical abortion procedure.
- Misoprostol helps expel the products of gestation. It works by softening the cervix and bringing about the contraction of the uterine muscles.
Advantages:
- Non-invasive procedure
- Abortion process is easy, and the use of safe abortion pills makes the procedure spontaneous and convenient.
Disadvantages:
- Many times, the abortion procedure is not complete and there can remain pending products of gestation.
- Side-effects such as nausea and vomiting may prevail even with the use of safe abortion pills.
- Vaginal bleeding may last from a few days up to a few weeks.
Vacuum aspiration (VA):
The aspiration of gestational products done by using suction created by a vacuum pump is known as Vacuum aspiration. It is possible to do it manually using a hand-held plastic aspirator where it is known as manual vacuum aspiration (MVA). Or an electric pump can create the suction, where it is known as electric vacuum aspiration (EVA).
This method of abortion is for the termination of early pregnancies or first-trimester pregnancies. It may find its use up to 14 weeks of gestation.
Advantages:
- Reduced need for anaesthetic products while carrying out the procedure. Local anaesthetic is sufficient.
- The short duration of the procedure (3 to 10 minutes).
- Shorter stay at the hospital. Many women feel it convenient to take discharge in less than an hour after the procedure.
- Less blood loss since most of the contents remove by the aspirator itself.
Abortion Methods
Dilatation and Evacuation (D & E):
Dilatation and evacuation is a safe abortion procedure that requires well trained and experienced gynaecologists to carry out the termination of pregnancy. It is for performing second trimester abortions or after 12 weeks of gestation.
Advantages:
- The key advantage is that the procedure withdraws all the unwanted uterine contents. So, there are very minor chances of any remainder gestation products.
- In cases of abortion due to a potential abnormality in the fetus, abortion can complete safely.
- The procedure takes less than 30 minutes for completion.
Disadvantages:
- It is an invasive procedure.
- Anaesthesia is essential.
- Risk of haemorrhage and uterine infections are comparatively more if professionals fail to follow Standard Operating Procedures.
Only well-equipped and certified MTP centres are permissible to carry out safe abortions to protect and promote patient health.
Reasons for unsafe abortions:
Due to inadequate access to quality abortion facilities and trained professionals throughout the country, many women tend to have unsafe abortions. Social, economic, financial and logistical barriers result in hesitation in women to have abortions at certified centres. In India, abortion is legal in events of failure of contraceptives. However, lack of access to information also prevents many women from accessing safe and legal abortion procedures.
In other instances where pregnancy termination is not permissible legally, such as in late stage pregnancies, women under pressure get the abortion at uncertified centres. Not having valid facilities, untrained professionals and unhygienic conditions for abortion procedures expose women health to considerable risk.
Awareness about legal aspects for abortions is essential to help women undergo safe abortion procedures. Recognition of these concerns to make CAC accessible to every woman was behind the amendment proposal.
Safe abortion care in Bangalore:
At American Hospital Bangalore, safety concerns for women undergoing abortion are significant at all stages, before, during and after abortion. All abortions follow guidelines mentioned for Safe abortions in WHO’s, “Clinical practice handbook for safe abortion care.”
Pre-abortion care:
- Gestational age is the most critical deciding factor for selecting the safe abortion method. During the early stages, bimanual examination, abdominal examination, laboratory findings and ultrasound imaging are essential before carrying out an abortion.
- It is essential to check the age of the pregnancy and also confirm that the gestation is intrauterine. Ectopic pregnancies need immediate medical attention. And any risk of any kind of abortion though being safe increases with increase in gestational age.
- In events of surgical abortions, using prophylactic antibiotics during the abortion procedure reduces the risk of infection.
- Doctors ensure that there is no reproductive tract infection at the time of the abortion. Any infection can increase the risk of post-surgical reproductive tract infections. In such events, it becomes necessary to administer antibiotics. Also, strict observation of disinfection procedures is necessary.
- Providing the woman knowledge as what to expect during the procedure reduces her anxiety. Besides, it also prepares her mentally for abortion. Doctor equips her about the safety concerns for her health with accurate information in easy-to-understand format. Proper counselling of the woman is crucial before the procedure.
Selection of safe abortion method:
Every woman is a unique individual and individual concerns are considerable. But our chief concerns while selecting the safest procedure for every individual woman are her health and safety. Our team of well-trained and competent certified health care professionals and gynaecologists perform each procedure.
Following CAC guidelines, selection of abortion method for it to be safe for the woman needs the following considerations:
- Firstly, for termination of pregnancies with gestational age less than 14 weeks, vacuum aspiration may be the choice.
- Secondly, the medical method of abortion utilizing an oral dose of mifepristone followed by a single dose of misoprostol is only up to 6 weeks of gestation. The MA is also possible with a single dose of Mifepristone and repeated doses of Misoprostol.
- Next, D & E is the method of choice when gestational age is above 12 – 14 weeks. We use properly cleaned and sterilized hygienic vacuum aspiration and forceps.
- Furthermore, considering the risk of cervical injury and uterine perforation, we ensure proper cervical preparation for surgical abortion.
- Besides, pain management is available both in medical as well as surgical abortions. Additionally, analgesics and local anaesthetics as may be required are available promptly. Need for pain management increases with increase in gestational age.
- Local anaesthesia or mild sedation may be necessary when mechanical cervical dilatation is the need to ease the woman’s discomfort.
- Moreover, we take precautions for infection control to eliminate the risk of transmission of bloodborne infections.
Post-abortion care:
- Before discharge after any kind of abortion, we check all vitals of the woman to ensure she can go home in a healthy state.
- Besides, we can schedule a follow-up phone consultation or visit after 7-14 days of the procedure. At the follow-up session, we check all vitals along with the symptoms of vaginal bleeding if it persists.
- During the follow-up session, women receive complete safety measures for conception or contraception according to their choice. They also receive sufficient information for future events. We also check hormonal changes to check the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Your period after abortion depends on your hormonal balance.
- All the instructions and necessary precautions are provided with both verbally as well as in prescribed written form.
- All the information as to what to expect after the procedure up to a month is provided to the woman. This includes up till when to expect vaginal bleeding, how to recognize potential complications and when to make a visit.
- Contact number for queries is given where she can express her concerns and seek help from the hospital health care providers.
Deaths and disabilities in women as a consequence of unsafe abortions can be prevented by using safe abortion procedures. American Hospital, Bangalore is a premier medical centre that is accredited to carry out safe abortions in Bangalore.
As per MTP Rules and Regulations, 2003, American Hospital, Bangalore is equipped with the necessary training and certifications required to be a qualified MTP medical centre.
Feel free to ask any query relating to termination of pregnancy in the comment section below. Your health is crucial for your family and also for us. With our latest equipment and caring professionals, your safety will be our priority.
References:
- “Illegal abortions cause of many maternal deaths – Times of India”. The Times of India. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
- “Unsafe Abortions Kill 10 Women Daily in India”. Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2 July 2018
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