Expert: Doctor Early Options - 1/20/2010

Question
Hi Joan, i had an abortion recently, i.e. 2 months back and again my pregnancy test appears to be positive. I am planning to go for abortion again due to personal issues...I have consulted doctor and they saying me not to go for any abortion, because i may face fertility issues for my next pregnancy...please help me on this...

Answer
Dear Rida,
Thank you for your question about the risks of multiple abortions.  First of all you may not be pregnant.  Sometimes a pregnancy test can remain positive after an abortion for several months.  So, before you do anything, you should confirm that you actually have a second pregnancy. The doctor can do this by either checking an ultrasound, or by checking several blood tests.

If it is confirmed that you are pregnant, there is minimal risk in having a second abortion, or even more.  In some countries, like Russia, women often have more than 5 abortions in their lifetime, and they do not have additional fertility problems.  That said, the safest abortion methods are: 1) Manual Vacuum Aspiration; 2) the Abortion Pill; 3) "suction curettage" abortion.  Both Manual Vacuum Aspiration and the Abortion Pill are endorsed by the World Health organization as the safest abortion methods.  They are considered non-surgical methods. Manual Vacuum Aspiration is a simple gentle method that uses a little handheld device to bring down an early pregnancy.  There is no scraping, no electric machine, and no need for general sedation.  Unfortunately it is hard to find a doctor who offers the Aspiration Procedure.  The abortion pill is more widely available, but not as easy to take.  However it has been shown to have no risk at all for future fertility.  "Suction curettage" is a surgical abortion (electric suction) without the scraping.  If there is no scraping there is minimal risk of scarring, and therefore minimal to no risk for problems with future pregnancies.  So, if the doctor does do a surgical abortion, ask that he does not scrape the uterus.  It is completely unnecessary in early abortion.  

There is more information on abortion risks, non-surgical abortion methods, and early abortion on my website: http://www.EarlyAbortionOptions.com

I hope this is helpful and a relief to you.

Doctor Joan
New York City