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Some Important Facts About Abortion In Canada

By Dorothy Snyder


The termination of pregnancy before it reaches a viable state is known as abortion. A viable fetus is one that has reached twenty four weeks or more. Losing a pregnancy before this stage is attained can happen spontaneously or can be induced. When it is induced, the inducer should be careful to prevent infection and other serious complications. These are some of the key facts about abortion in Canada that need to be put carefully considered.

An abortion occurring spontaneously is usually the result of anomalies in the anatomy of the female reproductive system. The most common anatomical anomaly is that involving the cervix, medically referred to as cervical incompetence, CI. In such cases, the cervical tissues are too weak to sustain the growing amniotic sac and the fetus within.

The sac usually becomes fully expanded at around fourteen weeks of gestation. It is at this time that most abortions caused by cervical incompetence occur. Victims usually complain of an initial break in water, followed by bleeding. In the most severe form, the whole sac suddenly drops off the ground through the vagina. The doctor should have a high index of suspicion for cervical incompetence in the event that a woman presents with a history of recurrent abortions at the end of the first trimester or at the beginning of the second trimester.

Incompetence of the cervix stems from a number of factors. Some women are just born an anatomically defective cervix. Regular instrumentation of the genital tract is among the common acquired causes. Instruments can be inserted as part of routine examination of the reproductive system. Instrumentation may also be indicated to remove retained products of conception. In the long run, the tissues become weak and can no longer function efficiently.

Women carrying multiple pregnancies are at a higher risk of sustaining defects in their cervix because of long term pressure meted on the cervix. In addition, women who get precipitate labour are bound to end up with a compromised cervix. Precipitate labour can be said to be the opposite of obstructed labour. The cervix gets to full dilatation within a very short span of time. While this may sound enticing for the expectant mother, it may be detrimental for future pregnancies if any tears are not corrected.

An abortion can also be described to be a missed one when the products of conception remain within the system with no signs of life to show. This means that the life of the foetus becomes terminated without the woman knowing for an appreciable amount of time. In missed abortions, the fundal height of the pregnancy is usually lower than the actual gestation period. On doing a vaginal examination, the cervix is usually closed but they could be a foul smell detected.

When the patient is examined vaginally, the cervix is found to be closed but there may be evidence of infection including a foul smell. Imaging through ultrasound confirms that the pregnancy is no longer viable. At this point, the doctor should find the best way to communicate with the mother to ensure they can take in the sad news with courage.

Care after abortion is paramount to prevent occurrence of infection which is among the commonest complications. Induced abortions need to be done under sterile conditions. Prophylactic antibiotics should be administered to reduce the chance of infection.




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