Self Induced Abortion or miscarriage is an abortion performed by pregnant women on their own outside the medical system or without proper medical supervision. This kind of abortion is mostly considered dangerous, although there are legal drugs sold over the counter that help women with the induction.
The term can also be used to mean effort in which women want to terminate the pregnancy through alternative means without following the proper set out medical procedures.
There are several reasons why women may opt to go for self induced abortion as compared to seeing a doctor which is a lot safer. Legal provisions and morality issues might be the biggest reasons for women to induce abortion at home. This self-induced abortion or DIY abortion is usually easy to achieve with proper drugs that have been approved in the early stages of the pregnancy.
The safest time for a self-induced abortion is usually within the first eight weeks, although it should not truly be considered safe at any time.
What Are The Benefits Of Self Induced Abortion?
There are not many health benefits to this type of abortion, with the only major reason why it is still available legally being the freedom to give women a choice of whether they want to be mothers or not. This induced abortion can be relatively safe when done properly and within the first eight weeks, making it a seemingly great choice for women that want to keep the pregnancy a secret from the community.
This type of abortion has also proved lower infection rates for the women as compared to carrying on with the pregnancy and eventually delivering a baby. When women are forced to carry the pregnancy for the whole nine months against their wish, they usually face a higher risk of complications over time as compared to the risks that are involved with a safely and properly executed abortion.
It has also been proven that more women die from childbirth as compared to abortion, making this a relatively safe option as compared to keeping the pregnancy if you’re not ready…though these numbers are based on safe clinical abortions and not on self induced abortions.
The risk of death from childbirth is 11 times higher when compared to a self-induced abortion using medication and performed early on in the pregnancy. The physical and mental risks women face when they are pregnant cannot be compared to the case of self-induced abortion at home.
Many of the so-called long-term effects of self-induced abortions have been debunked, making this a safe option for women who are not ready to be mothers if it is performed early enough. It also means women have a right over their bodies and whether they want to keep the baby or not. After all, it is the mother who is actively engaged in taking care of the baby when born in the early stages.
Possible Side Effects Of Self Induced Abortion
The self-induced abortion is usually unreliable and not the best way to get rid of unwanted pregnancies. When done wrong, they often lead to very serious and in many cases fatal complications to the woman. In fact, most of them are illegal, hence the reason they are done at home where nobody will know. Some of the possible side effects include:
Some of the minor complications include bleeding, fevers, infections, chronic back pain, vomiting, gastro-intestinal disturbances, and RH sensitization.
However, several other major complications include:
- Excessive Bleeding Which Can Lead To Death If Not Properly Addressed
- Serious Infections That Might Require Medical Attention
- Perforations Or Ripping Of The Uterus
- Embolism
- Anesthesia Complications
- Hemorrhage
- Convulsions
- Cervical Injury
- Endotoxic shock
The immediate complications of abortion are not the only issue, as most of them are easily treatable. However, these immediate complications usually lead to serious long-term side effects which are more serious and can lead to:
- Infertility
- Post Abortion Syndrome
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Substance Abuse
- Psychological Disorders
- Cancer
Most of these long terms effects are more devastating than the short term effects. Most of the women who have done abortion usually tend to engage in substance abuse. They also have an increased risk of getting breast cancer.
The psychological effects on the body might be devastating as the woman may feel shame and guilt. Sexual dysfunction is another common problem that makes women have problems when having sex. This usually has far-reaching effects and can be a cause for breakups in a relationship.
The post-abortion syndrome which is usually the stress the follows after the abortion is another big issue. Most women who lack proper care end up becoming suicidal or having sleep difficulties, eating disorders, and depression.
Top Self Induced Abortion Products
Self-induced abortion can be done using several legal over-the-counter drugs that have been produced by various pharmaceutical companies. The quinine drug is a good example of what has been used to induce abortion. Mifepristone is another pill that is sold over the counter legally and taken as an oral pill. Other drugs include:
- Methotrexate
- Misoprostol
However, there are also herbal drugs that can be used to induce abortion at home.
Self-Induced Abortion Review Summary
Whatever your self-induced abortion method, you should always be extremely careful to ensure that you know what you are doing and you know the risks. Have as much information as you can about the drug you want to use and follow the right dosage. It is advised to you buy legal drugs from the drug store and have a prescription. In the case of serious side effects, always make sure to consult a doctor right away.
In the end, you should know that going to clinic to perform your abortion is almost always the safer and wiser choice.
