Expert: Pat G - 5/6/2010

Question
QUESTION: Pat G, I just wanted to find if having an aborting will affect me having children in the future. I had an abortion 3 years ago and I was 6 weeks into my pregnancy but now I'm worried that it might affect me e.g Miscarriage and or infertility. In terms of remembering the type of abortion I had, I'm not sure though whether you allow one to explain it step by step. Thank You %26 Regards,

ANSWER: Hello, Phume,

You may describe the abortion if you want, but I may be able to clear up the issue with a couple of questions. Did you take pills, or did the abortionist enter your body with some kind of device?

Nobody knows what effect taking pills will have on future fertility. They're not doing studies. Surgical abortions, on the other hand, where the abortionist enters a woman's body, are known to cause miscarriage and infertility. After one abortion, 10% of women never conceive again. The risk of miscarriage or extremely early birth increases by 400%, and the risk of tubal pregnancy likewise increases by 400%. There can be a variety of reasons for infertility, which include infection and scar tissue over the openings to the Fallopian tubes. If the scar tissue isn't complete, there may be a tubal pregnancy. A woman will experience pain early in pregnancy, which may stop suddenly. It is an emergency, and requires surgery. The baby cannot live. Miscarriage and very early birth can be treated if the doctor fastens a woman's cervix shut so it can carry the weight of a baby until birth. Abortion damages a woman's cervix. Needless to say, very early birth can cause some fairly nasty birth defects. A prior surgical abortion can also make labor dangerous, and may mean a woman needs a Caesarian section. It is important that you get prenatal care, and that you let your doctor know that you had an abortion.

I hope things go well with you. Feel free to ask more questions and keep in touch. Take care. And you're welcome.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Morning Pat G,

Thank You for your response to my previous question!

They gave me a pill and instructed me to keep it under my tongue for 3 hours and they said I was going to feel pain but then I didn't feel much, after the period they then used a manual suction instrument. They gave me pills (Don't remember what they were) to take religiously at home I think for 3 days if I'm not mistaken. This is something that haunts me every now and again and I'm glad that at least I can talk about it and ask questions to this regard. Thank you & Regards,

Answer
Morning, Phume,

What they did is called a "menstrual extraction". Most likely the pills they gave you was an attempt to prevent infection. They may also have been intended to help keep you from bleeding.

By all means, we should talk about the fact that this is haunting you. Abortion is a terrible thing and can have significant emotional consequences. You really deserved better. There are organizations in South Africa that can also provide counseling, and they can refer you for medical examination to see what the likelihood is that it will affect your ability to have children. Unfortunately, "menstrual extraction" can cause infection, because it is very difficult to sterilize the instruments they use. Infections can make a woman infertile.

Here is a web site where you can look for an organization near you:

http://heartbeatservices.org/index.php/connections/worldwide-directory

Please feel free to talk to me, keep in touch, and let me know how you do. You are very welcome. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.