How to deal with an unplanned pregnancy? How to get an abortion? 

If your pregnancy is unexpected or unplanned, you may be feeling very scared or confused about what to do. Know that many pregnancies are not planned and happen despite our very best intentions o fusing precautions . Don't worry, here's a simple to understand guide to know what to do when you have an unplanned pregnancy, what are the rules of abortions and what to expect. 

How soon do I need to make a decision?

 If you are thinking about ending the pregnancy, it’s best to try to decide as soon as possible. There are fewer risks associated with early abortions. Also, the laws of abortion in India restrict abortions after a particular time period. It is best to do a self urine pregnancy test as soon as you skip your dates and visit your gynaecologist at the earliest.

 Till what time can I safely end my pregnancy?

 Remember, weeks of pregnancy are counted from the first day of your last period. An ultrasound will be done to confirm the dates prior to proceeding with an abortion. According to the Indian laws, pregnancy may be terminated till 20 weeks of gestation, with the opinion of one registered medical practitioner ( your gynaecologist), and requiring the consent of only  the pregnant lady (provided she is above 18 years of age). Details of the MTP act are attached at the end of this article for your reference. 

However, the procedure of termination of pregnancy is much simpler in terms of time taken, recovery time and ease of termination when conducted before 12 weeks. 

Up to 7 weeks, both options are open, that is, pregnancy may be terminated by medical method , i.e. pills or by suction method.

 Between 7-12 weeks, pregnancy can be terminated only by a suction process done under anaesthesia. 

After 12 weeks, the procedure becomes complicated involving a mini labour kind of procedure, similar to a normal delivery, which may or may not be followed by a suction procedure. 

Whose consent is required for termination of pregnancy?

By law, pregnancy of a woman who is above 18 years of age can be terminated with only her consent. Marital status, whether married or unmarried, does not matter.  It is not mandatory forthe partner or husband to sign, however, a witness signature by any of the above or a friend is desirable.

 If she is below 18 years of age or mentally ill, written consent of the guardian is required along with medicolegal clearance.

Are my details going to be confidential?

 The law states that the name and other information of a woman who has undergone termination of pregnancy shall not be revealed to anyone except to a person authorised by the law, that is one with a court or police warrant in medico-legal cases. Therefore, yes, your details are absolutely secure and confidential with your doctor and hospital. 

How long will it take to complete the procedure?

 Medical abortion, i.e. by pills, can take you upto 10-14 days to clear out the pregnancy. One must remember to :·  

  • Consult a gynaecologist before taking these pills. DO NOT SELF MEDICATE.
  •  Always get an ultrasound done before consuming pills. Sometimes a pregnancy may be in the fallopian tubes leading to life threatening complications and rupture with pills
  •  Prepare yourself to bear excessive bleeding and cramping for at least 4-5 days. It is certainly much more than your normal periods and can entail using about 6-8 pads per day. Make sure you have support at home to take care of you and get you to the hospital in case you can’t bear the pain and bleeding and want to go for a suction.
  • Do not exceed the given time period of 10-14 days. Get your follow up ultrasound done  as advised by your doctor and visit to avoid possibilities of infection and prolonged bleeding.  

Surgical Abortion or simply speaking, a suction and evacuation ( commonly referred to as D & C ), is a day care procedure.

  • You will be admitted about 2 hours prior to the procedure, fasting status, preferably early morning, for some pre procedure preparation.
  •  The procedure itself, is like a vacuum suction done vaginally, under ultrasound guidance, to clear out the pregnancy. It takes about 15-30 minutes max. There is minimal blood loss in the procedure. 
  • There is no cut, no stitch. Since it is done under anaesthesia, it is absolutely painless.·
  • You will be conscious and ready to be discharged within the next 2-4 hours. There is negligible post procedure discomfort in the abdomen similar to period cramps.
  • You can resume your normal office or household chores the very next day. 

 If you have any more questions, please feel free to connect with me, Dr Priyanka Bansal 

@ Cloudnine Hospital, Golf course road, Sec55, Gurgaon . (9971116228) OR 

@ Swasthyam clinic, 1699,LGF, Sec52, Gurgaon. (9582355558, 9899113730)

Salient Points-

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy act, 1971,amendment 2021, states that – 

According to the bill, abortion might be performed for up to 20 weeks, depending on the opinion of only one medical     practitioner. Opinions of two physicians are required in order to terminate pregnancies between 20 and 24 weeks.

 For special categories of females, such as rape/incest victims, women with disabilities, and minors, the gestation period might be extended up to 24 weeks. 

If there are significant foetal abnormalities, a state-level medical board will decide whether an abortion can be     performed or not after 24 weeks.

 Abortions can only be performed by gynaecology and obstetrics specialists.

 The bill states that the name and other information of a woman who has undergone termination of pregnancy shall not be revealed except to a person authorised by the law.