Friday, July 20, 2018

Essential Facts About Abortion In Canada

By Dorothy Snyder


Abortion refers to termination of pregnancy before it reaches viability, usually between twenty four and twenty eight weeks. The termination can either occur spontaneously or can be induced. Spontaneous abortion is a result of many factors, both anatomical and acquired. In the event that abortion is induced, care should be taken to prevent complications. These are some of the essential facts about abortion in Canada.

Miscarriages are usually caused by anatomical defects of the female reproductive system. Cervical incompetence, CI, is among the commonest occurs. This means that the cervix is not strong enough to sustain the pressure of the enlarging amniotic sac and its contents.

Ultimately, it gives way and the amniotic sac together with its contents are expelled. The classic presentation of women with CI is loss of a pregnancy every time it reaches a gestation period of fourteen weeks. It is during this period that the amniotic sac is fully enlarged, pressing down on the cervix.

Cervical incompetence is caused by a number of factors. Some women could be genetically predisposed to the condition. In others, the incompetence is acquired as a result of frequent instrumentation. Exposing the female reproductive system to instrumentation every now and then not only increases the risk of infection but also makes the structures weak.

Women carrying multiple pregnancies are at a higher risk of sustaining defects in their cervix because of long term pressure meted on the cervix. In addition, women who get precipitate labour are bound to end up with a compromised cervix. Precipitate labour can be said to be the opposite of obstructed labour. The cervix gets to full dilatation within a very short span of time. While this may sound enticing for the expectant mother, it may be detrimental for future pregnancies if any tears are not corrected.

Missed abortions are those that occur without awareness of the woman carrying the pregnancy. They are missed because the contents get retained within the uterus, despite having lost signs of life. Signs that could indicate a missed abortion include a gradually contracting fundus. On examination, the abdominal size is usually smaller than what is expected for the given gestational age.

Ultrasound examination usually reveals a lifeless being within the amniotic sac. Missed abortions are commonly caused by certain maternal infections some of which include toxoplasmosis, chlamydia and syphilis. It is prudent for pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics to ensure any infections are detected early and treated as appropriate. The mother needs to be counselled in order to cope with the loss of their growing fetus. All the products of conception should be aspirated as soon as possible to avoid complications.

Care after abortion is paramount to prevent occurrence of infection which is among the commonest complications. Induced abortions need to be done under sterile conditions. Prophylactic antibiotics should be administered to reduce the chance of infection.




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