There are various reasons why pregnancies are terminated, some of them natural, and others induced. Whatever the grounds, an abortion is definitely not an easy experience for any woman. The physical, emotional and psychological repercussions are many, even if the pregnancy was terminated because the woman was not ready to have a child and not for any other medical reason.
Some women undergo an abortion by accident, when the fetus has not implanted properly or when stress and trauma cause them to lose the baby. Others are forced to terminate the pregnancy because of medical complications like pre-eclampsia or the lack of a fetal heartbeat. And yet others choose to abort their babies because the fetuses test positive for conditions like Down’s syndrome and other genetic disorders that disable them for life.
Whatever the reason for the termination of a pregnancy, you need to be aware that the side effects are hard to take, at least for a while.
Physically…
- You may experience a pain in your abdomen and the feeling of cramping
- You may be nauseous
- You may experience spotting and bleeding
- You may find your lower back paining
- You may find yourself running a temperature
- You may experience vaginal discharge
Most physical effects disappear in a week or so, but they may last up to a month in some women. If your menstruation cycle is regular, you’re likely to get your period in around 4 to 6 weeks.
More serious complications that could arise from an abortion, but these are generally very rare.
· Your uterine lining could be scarred
· Your cervix and/or uterus could be damaged
· You may suffer an infection
· Other organs like your bladder may be damaged
· Although it happens very rarely, an abortion that goes horribly wrong could result in death
Emotionally…
- You could suffer from feelings of guilt, depression, anger and sadness, all of which are compounded by the hormonal changes your body is going through.
- You may also find yourself facing sleepless nights and suffering from a loss of appetite
- Your relationships may suffer as a result of your depression and guilt, so seek the help of a counselor or therapist if necessary.
- You’re also going to find yourself worrying if you will be able to get pregnant again, and if so, how soon it will happen.
Contact your doctor when you feel uncomfortable and when the symptoms persist or when you still experience signs of pregnancy like nausea and giddiness even after the abortion. While it’s not a regular occurrence, you may be experiencing a heterotopic pregnancy where one fetus is in your uterus and the other in your cervix or fallopian tube. This is a potentially dangerous condition that, if not treated at once, could lead to the death of the mother.
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