An abortion is the medical termination of a pregnancy. It is a surgical procedure where the mother is placed under an anaesthetic and a tube is placed in the cervix. This tube then sucks out the contents of the uterus, removing the unborn foetus.
Abortions are highly controversial. Many religious groups believe abortions are murder and are a morally unfair approach to dealing with an unprepared pregnancy. Ethically, it has caused many debates, and leaves many people divided as an issue.
Emotionally for a woman, it can equal a spectrum of feelings. Many mothers feel a sense of grief and sadness. Relief is also another feeling expressed by many women after an abortion. However, if the feeling of grief and sadness is to an extreme and irregular level, a councillor or other specialist will be appointed to assist in the emotional recovery from an abortion. It is also very important that the woman makes the decision herself to have an abortion, as it can result in depression or great sadness for the woman.
It is a safe procedure if performed by an experienced doctor. As with other surgery, there is a small risk of infection, but antibiotics are given to minimise the risk of infection. Other ways of avoiding infection are by taking showers, not baths, not swimming and not using tampons for 2 weeks after the procedure. There is a 1% chance that the mother may experience heavy bleeding and abdominal pain, and this can be treated by a second abortion, as the foetus has not been fully removed.
An abortion can cost from $130 for a local anaesthetic, or about $335 for a general anaesthetic. It may be expensive for many single mothers compared to the other options.
An abortion is an emotional choice to make, so it is best to be sure about your choice, but if it is made, it can help people who are not ready to give birth to children, and it may be easier for a woman to terminate the pregnancy than give up a child that is living after they have just given birth to it.