Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before birth. Popularly, the term abortion refers to the deliberate or induced termination of a pregnancy, whereas the spontaneous termination of a pregnancy is commonly called a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion.
Question: Why might a physician recommend a deliberate or induced abortion?
A physician might recommend an abortion if tests (for example, amniocentesis) show that the fetus is likely to develop such a severe abnormality as spina bifida or another genetic defect. A pregnancy is often deliberately terminated if the mother's health is seriously at risk. But the primary reason for voluntary abortion in the U.S. is birth control. In countries where abortion is permitted, there are strict laws that must be complied with. All states of the U.S. permit voluntary abortion up to the twelfth week of pregnancy.
Question: How is a medically induced abortion performed?
In early pregnancy, an abortion is generally performed using either minor surgery, such as dilatation and curettage, or a suction apparatus. In a pregnancy of four months or more, a concentrated hormone and salt solution may be injected into the womb. This stimulates the womb to expel the fetus. There are also various drugs, called abortifacients, that are sometimes used to induce abortion, but many of these contain the potentially dangerous drug ergot. Alternatively a surgeon performs an operation to open the womb and remove the fetus.
Question: Is an induced abortion dangerous to the woman?
A medical abortion in early pregnancy, properly conducted, is a safe and minor operation. It can be performed in a clinic or with brief hospitalization.
An abortion performed by an unskilled person and without sterile conditions exposes the patient to the risk of infection, hemorrhage, future infertility, or even death.
Hospitalization - Admission Procedures
The procedures you follow on admission to a hospital vary from one hospital to another, but basically the process is the same in most institutions in the United States.
Care of the Dying - Role of Friends
The friend can show appreciation of the work being done by the family and offer to stay with the patient if the family needs a little time away from home.
Care of the Dying - Death of an Older Child or an Adolescent
From the age of three years onward, a child begins to understand the concept of death and dying. The dying child feels protective toward his or her parents. Although the child desperately needs to talk about what is going to happen, he or she may never get close to the subject. The child may attach himself or herself to a nurse or physician while still relying on the parents. By doing this, the child is sharing the emotional responsibility. The parents may find this difficult to accept, but must realize that someone else can perhaps give more help by listening dispassionately to the child's fears and anxieties.
