Abortions

Abortion: Why it should remain legal and with limitations?

Abortion has been an issue on the front lines for many decades. Many people have differing opinions on this issue and have been steadily voicing them over the years. There are pro-life supporters who do not believe in abortion unless it is endangering the mother's health; their belief is that life starts at conception. Then there are the pro-choice supporters who believe in the woman's right to choose, their belief is that life starts after the child is born. There is no easy way around this issue but for many years, it seemed that the mother had the right. Now with the appointment of recent judges to the Supreme Court it looks as if they might challenge the law once again. The real question is who should have the right to choose?

First, we must look at what is an abortion. It is a medical procedure done to terminate a pregnancy. Depending on how far into the pregnancy a woman is determines the type of procedure she can have done. It is important to remember that with all types of surgeries there are risks. There is a possibility of experiencing one or none of these risks following an abortion as per Pregnancycenters.org:

1. Heavy Bleeding - Some bleeding after abortion is normal. However, there is a risk of hemorrhage, especially if the uterine artery is torn. When this happens, a blood transfusion may be required.

2. Infection - There is a risk that bacteria may get into the uterus from an incomplete abortion resulting in infection. A serious infection may lead to persistent fever over several days and extended hospitalization.

3. Incomplete Abortion - This happens when some of the fetal parts remain after the abortion bleeding and infection may occur.

4. RU486 - may fail in up to one out of every 20 cases.

5. Allergic Reaction to Drugs - There is a risk of an allergic reaction to the anesthesia used during abortion surgery. These risks include convulsions, heart attack and, in extreme cases, death.

6. Tearing of the Cervix - There is a risk that the abortion instruments might cut or tear the cervix.

7. Scarring of the Uterine Lining - There is a risk that suction tubing, curettes, and other abortion instruments may cause permanent scarring of the uterine lining.

8. Perforation of the Uterus - There is a risk that the abortion instruments might puncture or tear the uterus. The risk of these complications increases with the length of the pregnancy.

9. Damage to Internal Organs - When the uterus is punctured or torn,

damages can occur to nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder.

10. Death - In extreme cases, there is a risk of other physical complications from

abortion including excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage from a perforated

uterus and adverse reactions to anesthesia may lead to death. This complication is

very rare and occurs, on average, in less than 20 cases per year.

A physical risk is not the only thing females might experience. Deciding on whether to terminate a pregnancy also requires your mental and emotional state of mind. Therefore, it is important to know that after an abortion a female might experience an increase in emotional problems. Some women experience strong negative emotions after abortion. Sometimes this occurs within days and sometimes it happens after many years. This psychological response is known as Post-Abortion Stress (PAS). Several factors that increase the risk of Post-Abortion Stress include the woman's age, the abortion circumstances, and the stage of pregnancy at which the abortion occurs and the woman's religious beliefs. The following are Post-Abortion Stress Symptoms as per Pregnancycenter.org:

1. Guilt

2. Anger

3. Anxiety

4. Depression

5. Suicidal Thoughts

6. Anniversary Grief

7. Flashbacks of Abortion

8. Sexual Dysfunction

9. Relationship Problems

10. Eating Disorders

11. Alcohol and Drug Abuse

12. Psychological Reactions

It is very wise to have a close friend who is in support of your decision or to seek counsel post-abortion this way you can talk about the emotions you are experiencing.

There are also other risks many women are not aware of that can also affect you in the future. There are medical experts who believe that abortions may increase the risk of breast cancer. They are still researching and debating the linkage between abortion and breast cancer. "However, a 1994 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found, "Among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those who had experienced an induced abortion was 50% higher than among other women." Here are other important facts: Researchers have found that carrying a pregnancy to full term gives more protection against breast cancer this does not occur if the pregnancy is aborted. Abortion causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels that may make breast cells more susceptible to cancer. Most studies conducted so far show a significant link between abortion and breast cancer but this is still under research as per Pregnancycenter.org".

There is another risk that can affect a female when trying to conceive. Scarring or any other injury during an abortion may prevent or place at risk future wanted pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first pregnancy. This is why a woman should know her options first before considering an abortion.

You have the legal right to choose the outcome of your pregnancy. However, real empowerment comes when you find the resources and inner strength necessary to make your best choice. If you choose to continue your pregnancy