Expert: Pat G - 12/11/2009

Question
I had an abortion in february of 2009, and I just found out I am pregnant again. He doesn't want to keep it, and is really wanting me to have another abortion. Are there really serious health risks??

Answer
Hello, jiggy,

Since when is it his decision? It's not his decision at all. It's yours. He doesn't have any right to make that demand of you.

Are there serious health risks? Absolutely! An abortion done by any method can kill you.

Pill abortions:

bleeding to death
rupture of the uterus
death by toxic shock syndrome (takes only hours)
makes a woman much more susceptible to breast cancer
effect on future children unknown

I have actually talked to women here who were experiencing heavy bleeding. I don't even know if some of them have died since I talked to them. It doesn't take much; it can happen in days or hours. I have also left a message here for a woman who was clearly suicidal. She never read it.

Surgical abortions:

bleeding to death (or in the alternative, hysterectomy)
death from reaction to anesthesia
paralysis from anesthesia
sexually transmitted diseases
tubal pregnancy on a future occasion (requires emergency surgery; the baby cannot survive)
sterility
miscarriage in future pregnancies
very early birth in future pregnancies, which can cause cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism in the baby
makes a woman much more susceptible to breast cancer
placenta previa in a future pregnancy; may make a Caesarian section necessary to keep both mother and child from bleeding to death
prolonged labor; may make a Caesarian section necessary

All abortions:

greatly increased risk a woman will die a violent death in the year following the abortion:
suicide
homicide
auto accident
drug abuse
alcoholism
self-abuse, such as cutting
anorexia
bulimia

You don't even know yet what the consequences of your first abortion have been. Over 1/3 of all women who have a surgical abortion suffer long term damage to their reproductive system, and that's not counting breast cancer.

Stand up to him. You deserve better. He may try to persuade you, but stand firm. Most of the time, the father will accept it. If he shows signs of anything other than verbal abuse, find a safe place and go there.

I hope this helps.

You probably will need some help with some problems you may face, or would welcome help. Let me know. I can point you to resources. Please stay safe.