Healthyvives Health Blog

Abortion is that termination from unwanted pregnancy or termination of pregnancy. Generally abortion arrange before 20 weeks or below 500 gm weighing foetus. It is true that medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) is safe than any other system. It is hygienic, legal and deliberate termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks. Here a nurse has to play a vital role in this by providing services to ensure safe abortion and follow up care. But unsafe abortion can be result in life threatening situation. Infections resulting to various life threatening situations like peritonitis, septicemia, renal failure and death. Excessive vaginal bleeding resulting in shock and death. It may result in vesico-vaginal or recto vaginal fistulae.

What is MTP?

MTP, whose full form is medical termination of pregnancy, during MTP the product of conception, is removed from the uterus, under observation of safe clean condition by a qualified doctor after assessing the woman’s health condition provided the woman fulfills the criteria for performing MTP.MTP is done in a running hospital or health care center which has been approved by govt. and has been requisite facilities and qualified manpower. Abortion may be done only under the MTP act. MTP and abortion may be done if the continuation of pregnancy will endanger the life of the woman and cause grave injury to her physical and mental health. Abortion may be done if there is danger of the child being born with handicaps or there is risk of child having physical and mental abnormalities. Abortion may be done if the pregnancy had been caused by rape. Also abortion may be done if the pregnancy is due to failure of contraceptive methods by woman or man. The best and safe period for abortion is between 6-10 weeks of gestation and it can be done up to 20 weeks.

Complications of Abortion : Incomplete evacuation, continuation of pregnancy, trauma to the cervix and uterus leading to haemorrhage and shock, perforation of uterus, haemorrhage and shock due to incomplete abortion, thrombosis or embolism. Some remote complications are also found in this stage as like, menstrual disturbances, chronic pelvic inflammation, recurrent mid trimester abortions due to cervical incompetence, ectopic pregnancy, premature labour.

Counseling for woman and family

It is better to use of contraceptive than going for MTP as the complication are more in MTP. Abortion should be done only in a recognized center by trained health personnel. Abortion should be done between 6-10 weeks to minimize the complications. Abortion performed after 10 weeks of gestation has greater risk even if it is done by trained personnel, by untrained personnel can result in life threatening situation. It can also lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, fistula and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. Use of contraceptives after abortion is advisable instead of repeated MTPs.

Role of Doctor and nurse in safe abortion

Use clean equipments to perform MTP. Maintain asepsis before and during the procedure. Dispose the waste, keeping in mind the principles of infection prevention. to check temperature, pulse and blood pressure and record it,  advise to come for follow up services after 2 weeks. Finally encourage for bed rest.