Does Abortion Affect Future Pregnancies and Fertility?
Does Abortion Affect Future Pregnancies – Women often have queries related to pregnancy after abortion. If you’ve had or are considering an abortion, your mind might strike up with a question “Does abortion affect future pregnancies?”. There is also a lot of misconception about abortion that it can affect future pregnancies or fertility. People also believe that women who have gone through an abortion may experience preterm birth, premature babies, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, various complications, etc. Regardless, all these affirmations are a hoax.
In general, Abortion is a safe medical procedure done via surgeries or medications and it does not affect the chance of having a healthy pregnancy in the future. Nonetheless, one can get pregnant within a few weeks of undergoing an abortion procedure.
Understanding the Female Reproductive System
To understand pregnancy, it is important to know which part of the body is affected. The female reproductive system is made up of the following parts:
- Vagina: opening of the reproductive system, which allows the entry of sperm.
- Cervix: narrow region that connects the vagina to the uterus.
- Uterus or womb: where a fertilised egg implants and grows to develop into a baby.
- Ovaries: organs on either side of the uterus, which release an egg each month in the prospect of a pregnancy.
- Fallopian tubes: narrow tubes that open out at the ovaries to pick up the released egg for fertilisation.
Each month an egg is released from an ovary and is taken up by the fallopian tube. If it gets fertilised by sperm, the embryo travels to the uterus and implants in the uterine membrane. From here, it develops into a baby.
Types of Abortions and Their Success Rates
Abortion is a common, and safe procedure and it is usually of two types: Medical and Surgical. Here’s a detailed overview of both the procedure:
| Type of Abortion | Procedure Overview | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Abortion | Non-surgical procedure usually done through ‘abortion pills’ (mifepristone followed by misoprostol). | 95-98% |
| Surgical Abortion | Fetus and placenta are ejected from the uterus by gentle vacuum suction, dilating the cervix, or curette. | More than 99 out of 100 times |
Can I Conceive Again After an Abortion?
Yes, it is possible to ovulate and become pregnant after having an abortion unless you’re not diagnosed with severe medical reasons. A woman can conceive naturally within two weeks of an abortion or after her first menstruation. Medical research has illustrated that even having more than one abortion usually does not impact the woman’s fertility as the body may start ovulating a few weeks after the procedure. It is unlikely that having multiple past abortions typically does not affect your fertility or chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Recurrent Miscarriage and Lifestyle Recommendations
Recurrent miscarriage is the loss of two or more consecutive pregnancies that have involuntarily ended before 20 weeks. To be called a miscarriage, these pregnancies should have been clinically-recognised on an ultrasound or pregnancy tissue found after the loss. If you are trying to get pregnant, recurrent miscarriages can be physically and emotionally difficult for you and your partner to handle. The lifestyle recommendations to prevent recurrent miscarriage are:
- Avoid smoking cigarettes.
- Avoid cocaine.
- Reduce alcohol intake.
- Reduce excess caffeine intake.
Status of Abortion Care and Specialized Services
Approximately 6 million abortions occur annually in India, with 2 million being natural and 4 million being intentional. Complications are extremely uncommon when a certified doctor does the abortion with specialized training. Dr Ruchi Rai Ahuja is a specialist in the gynaecology field, practising safe and effective abortions in Chandigarh. Additionally, Radiance Hospital Mohali is a leading hospital in Punjab, offering a full complement of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services, with specialists in all major healthcare fields.