History
shows that as far as 1800, abortion was in practice especially overseas with U.S
even training midwives in how to do it. During those times, there was no law
against such practices. It was only in the 19th century when the church and
some states came to speak against it. However, there were some exceptions in
their rulings. There were some times when abortion was considered legal.
However, abortion over the years has become not only a
health problem but also a very big social canker especially when not done by an
expert. There are several reasons why people go to the extent of aborting an
unborn child. These reasons rank from unpreparedness to cater for a child,
financial constraints, family problems, health issues and sometimes people
abort when the pregnancy is as a result of incest or rape.
Longtime in Ghana, there was little knowledge on how
abortion was done. During those times, young girls who get pregnant takes a lot
of materials which includes poisonous concoctions, broken bottles mixed with
drinks, dyes, to mention but few. Sometimes, such leads to successful abortionsbut
amidst several problems which will be addressed later.
The only countries were abortion is legal are: Puerto Rico, Cuba, three countries of the French Antilles, French Guiana, Guyana and Barbado.In the next paragraphs, I want us to look into how abortion is done, merits and demerits of this practice.
HOW IS ABORTION DONE?
There are a lot of methods used in this practice. However, I will like to
point out the procedures used in this act. Doctors can use medications, surgery
or a combination of both to end a pregnancy. The method depends on how far
along in the pregnancy you are, your medical history and your preference.
Abortions during early pregnancy, before 9 weeks, can be done safely with
medications. Abortions between 9 and 14 weeks usually are done surgically,
although medications may be used to help soften and open the cervix. After 14
weeks, abortions can be done using labor inducing medications that cause
uterine contractions or by using these medicines in combination with surgery.
There are therefore three forms of abortion; That is
MEDICAL ABORTION
Abortions completed with medication, called medical abortions, are done
within 49 days from the start of the pregnancy. Pregnancy usually starts two
weeks after the first day of a menstrual period, so this corresponds to nine
weeks from the last menstrual period. Medications used to induce abortion
include: Mifepristone (Mifeprex), Misoprostol (Cytotec) and Methotrexate.
These drugs have a lot of bad effects. Some includes nausea, vomiting,
vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.
SURGICAL
ABORTION
INDUCTION
OF LABOUR
After 14 weeks of pregnancy, abortion can be done by giving medication that
causes the woman to go into labor and deliver the fetus and the placenta. The
procedure usually requires hospitalization for more than a day because it
involves a labor and delivery. Sometimes dilation and evacuation is necessary
to completely remove the placenta. Labor can be induced in one of three ways:
Invasive.
Injecting labor inducing medications by passing a needle through the abdomen
and into the uterus, usually within the amniotic sac
Noninvasive.
Giving labor inducing medications by mouth, intravenously (into a vein),
through an injection into a muscle, or inserted in the vagina
A combination
of invasive and noninvasive approaches. Usually necessary when abortion is done
late in the second trimester, before 24 weeks
Now
let’s look into some advantages of abortion.
It may be necessary to safeguard the woman’s
health.
Prevent complication arising from
pregnancy, if a woman is suffering from diseases such as diabetes, heart
disease, kidney disease etc. A woman should act according to the medical
advice.
Abortion helps the parents to have
an option whether they want or do not want a child.
It also helps to check the family size.
In situations such as pregnancy
arising from rape, or pregnancy in a mentally retarded woman.
Why abortion should be stopped.
It can be termed as a brutality.
Many religions do not agree for abortion, as a person is forbidding the chance
of life to a developing fetus.
It gives the couple a chance to
behave in an irresponsible manner.
Abortion can give rise to medical
complications such as recurrent miscarriages, infection, sepsis etc.
It can have a grave impact on a
woman’s mental status. She can become depressed with many other mental
illnesses.
FACT
DO YOU KNOW, THERE ARE MORE ABORTIONS IN GHANA ESPECIALLY
THE S. H. S?
Now, let’s conclude ourselves. Do you think abortion should
be made legal or should be prohibited at all no matter the situation at hand?
Just let me know your comments.
Adjei
K. Emmanuel
Dayz
Entertainment News
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