For most women, going through teenage pregnancy abortion could be a life-changing decision. If you are considering this option, it’s important for you to know the facts first before you go through with this irreversible procedure.
Oral Procedures
Within 4-7 weeks after your last menstrual period (LMP), you can abort the embryo through an abortion pill (RU486, Mifepristone). This procedure requires 3 clinic visits.
• 1st visit – you will be given pills to kill the embryo.
• 2nd visit – if the abortion did not push through after 2 days, you will be given another drug that will induce cramps and expel the embryo.
• 3rd visit – ensures that the procedure has been completed.
Surgical Procedures
In addition, there are also surgical procedures for teenage pregnancy abortion:
• Manual Vacuum Aspiration: only until 7 weeks after LMP– a long, thin tube will be inserted into your uterus. Then, a large syringe attached to the tube will suction out the embryo.
• Suction Curettage: between 6-14 weeks after LMP – the doctor will stretch open your cervix using metal rods. Then he will insert a plastic tube in your uterus connected to a suction machine in order to pull the fetus apart and bring it out of your uterus.
• Dilation and Evacuation: between 13-14 weeks after LMP – the doctor will insert numerous seaweed rods into your cervix 1-2 days before abortion. Then, he will pull the fetus with forceps (crushing the skull to ease removal).
• Dilation and Extraction: 20 weeks onwards – for 2 days, your cervix will be stretched open by inserting seaweed rods. Next, the doctor will grasp a fetus leg with forceps (using ultrasound) and pull it out until it reaches the head. Then, scissors will be inserted to pierce the base of the skull before placing a suction catheter to remove the brain. The fetus skull will then collapse to facilitate removal.
Emotional Impact of Abortion
There is strong evidence that teenage pregnancy abortion brings a lot of post-traumatic stress and might last for days or even years. Its symptoms are:
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Sexual dysfunction
• Suicidal thoughts
• Flashbacks of abortion
• Depression
• Guilt
• Relationship problems
• Eating Disorders
Recent studies also say that abortion is higher for women below the poverty line. “Unintended pregnancies will surely happen if you cannot afford birth control,” says Laurie Rubiner, Public Policy Vice President of Planned Parenthood.
It’s also fitting to know that teenage pregnancy abortion rates have steadily dropped since 1980. “Most women having abortion today are moms who are struggling to raise the kids that they already have,” according to Rachel Jones, Guttmacher Institute senior research associate.