Therapeutic Abortion?
- A therapeutic abortion is a termination of pregnancy that seeks to alleviate a physical or mental health condition. This is an elective abortion, since it is not medically neccessary.
- If the health condition is life-threatening, a medically necessary abortion is performed to save the mother’s life. This is legal throughout pregnancy.
- A medically indicated termination for the mother’s health is commonly permitted until viability.
This article provides you with information on regulations and possible outcomes when encountering health problems during pregnancy.
Medically Necessary Abortion vs. Medically Indicated Abortion
Therapeutic abortions are considered terminations for medical reasons (TFMR). These fall under two categories: Medically necessary abortions and medically indicated abortions.
What is a Medically Necessary Abortion?
A medically necessary abortion is a termination of pregnancy to save the life of the mother. Continuing the pregnancy would mean certain death to the mother, which, in turn, would also lead to the death of the unborn child.
- The principle of double effect comes into play, as the life-saving measure has the secondary effect of ending the life of the foetus.
- This is also known as an indirect abortion since the loss of pregnancy is not the goal, but the indirect consequence of a life-saving medical procedure.
What is a Medically Indicated Abortion?
A medically indicated abortion is a termination of pregnancy to improve the health of the mother. This is an elective abortion since it is not medically necessary.
Go to Reasons for Pursuing a Therapeutic Abortion to determine the factors that play a role in considering an abortion for the health of the mother.
Until When Can I Have an Abortion for Health Reasons?
The Abortion Act 1967 defines the regulations governing abortions where exceptions to gestational limits are made for the health of the mother. Medically indicated abortions are allowed up until the viability of the foetus.
- In the United Kingdom, medically indicated abortions are generally permitted up until 24 weeks LMP. There is no limit for medically necessary abortions, as the goal is to save the life of the mother.
When is an Abortion Performed to Save the Life of the Mother?
Medically necessary abortions are less than 1 in 74,000, according to a study performed by Murphy and O’Driscoll. Here are the three most common causes:
Common Causes for Medical Abortions:
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In rare cases abruptions can cause the woman to go into haemorrhagic shock from the heavy bleeding. An abortion becomes necessary to prevent the woman from bleeding to death.
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Pre-eclampsia is marked by extremely high blood pressure. Left unchecked, it can lead to organ damage, affecting the liver and kidneys. When pre-eclampsia becomes life-threatening to the mother, premature delivery may be the only cure. If the baby’s gestational age is below 24 weeks, it usually does not survive.
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Chorioamnionitis is an intraamniotic infection. Bacteria may enter the woman’s uterus when her water breaks early. Most women experiencing a preterm prelabour rupture of membranes receive antibiotics, which is 98% successful in preventing an infection. Should chorio develop, the baby must be delivered to save the mother’s life.
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1 in 50 pregnancies are ectopic. In an ectopic (out-of-place) pregnancy, the fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the Fallopian tubes (tubal pregnancy). The growing foetus cannot fully develop but can cause the host organ to burst and must be removed to prevent the mother from bleeding to death. This is not considered an abortion since the baby has no chance of survival.
Reasons for Pursuing a Therapeutic Abortion
Is your pregnancy putting your health at risk? Several health factors can be at play:
- physical
- emotional
- psychological
- familial
- maternal age
1. Physical
Severe pregnancy complications are making it difficult for you to continue with the pregnancy. Now you have been asked by your medical provider to consider abortion…
❗ Your doctor cannot perform an abortion without your explicit consent. It is your decision!
Perhaps you have been told that you have a high-risk pregnancy. Heart disease, kidney conditions, lupus, diabetes, cancer — these diagnoses can make a pregnancy 'high-risk.' These medical conditions do not necessitate abortion. Help is available for you to continue the pregnancy.
- For more information, go to Pregnant and Chronic Health Condition
Conditions that may Complicate your Pregnancy:
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The increased blood volume during pregnancy requires the heart to work harder. Your heart rate increases, pumping 30 – 50% more blood through your system. If your heart rate was already elevated prior to your pregnancy, you will need to take precautions and be monitored more closely. Most pregnancies can still be carried to term.
Possible solutions and aids:
- Consult your doctor about your heart medication during pregnancy
- Rest. Avoid activities which elevate your heart rate.
- Eat healthy foods. Avoid excessive weight gain.
- Stay informed. Knowing what to expect during pregnancy can ease anxiety
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A kidney disorder requiring dialysis would place your pregnancy at higher risk for complications. Advances in treatment lead to a successful delivery in 90% of cases.
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Lupus is an autoimmune disease causing your body's immune system to attack your own tissues and organs, leading to inflammation of joints, skin, heart, lungs etc.
While lupus can create difficulties during pregnancy, it is unlikely to hinder the delivery of a healthy baby.
For more information, go to Pregnant with Lupus.
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Three types of diabetes are possible during pregnancy: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Up to 10% of pregnant women have diabetes. If treated well, most pregnancies have successful outcomes.
Possible solutions and aids:
- Closely monitor your blood sugar levels.
- Follow a healthy eating plan.
- Stay active.
- Take insulin when needed.
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Perhaps you recently received a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy. You wonder whether an abortion is your only option to receive the necessary chemotherapy.
Cancer treatment is now possible during pregnancy. A multidisciplinary team works together, assuring the best outcome possible for both mother and baby.
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Find support at Hope for Two
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2. Emotional
Perhaps you recently received a positive diagnosis during an antenatal screening. Where do you go from here? What if the baby has a birth defect? You may be concerned that this is more than you can handle.
- 🩺 Foetal Defect Abortion? Take the Test
- Selective Abortion
- Positive Prenatal Screening Result
Maybe you are at a higher risk for miscarriage or stillbirth. Or does the thought of raising a(nother) child feel overwhelming? Are your concerns more than you can bear? Does abortion promise relief from your anxiety?
3. Psychological
Perhaps you had a mental health diagnosis prior to your pregnancy, which seems exacerbated by your present situation. Or a mental illness may have only recently been identified. While the stress of pregnancy can lead to stronger manifestations, it is usually not the culprit. Could this be an opportunity to seek better treatment?
4. Familial
You had pictured yourself starting a family – one day – when everything was exactly right. But things did not go according to plan. You find yourself pregnant while your relationship is in shambles. Perhaps you were never really an item – or he does not want the baby.
Where do you go from here? Could this be an opportunity to exhibit your strength of spirit?
- 👨 Abortion because he does not want the baby? - Take the Test!
- 👨🏻 💔 👨🏾 Abortion for pregnancy by another man? - Take the Test!
You may also like:
- Relationship Status: It’s Complicated
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- Who Is the Father?
- Rape-Related Pregnancy
5. Age
Perhaps you expected your childbearing years to be behind you. Your family felt complete, and you were enjoying the growing independence of your other children.
You also realise that certain risks accompany advanced maternal age. You are not sure whether your body can take it.
A certain level of physical fitness is necessary for conception. Could this be an unexpected gift that life is entrusting you with?
Abortion Methods for the Health of the Mother
If you are seeking a therapeutic abortion within the first trimester (first 12 weeks of pregnancy), these are the available choices:
Abortions after the first trimester are considered late-term. Other methods are necessary for late term abortions because of the size and development of the foetus.
Considering Abortion for Health Reasons?
Perhaps you just got home from an appointment and are now frantically looking for answers. This had been a desired pregnancy, but now you are unsure whether you can go through with it.
Or maybe this has burdened your mind for a while. Are you feeling like this pregnancy is taking too much of a toll on you?
Either situation is anything but easy! Fortunately, you do not have to decide on the spot. An abortion for the health of the mother has generous time parameters.
If you would like some unbiased counsel to guide you in your decision-making process, please take advantage of our free digital coaching. We desire that you may discover the path that is right for you.
- 💪🏻 Wondering whether you have what it takes? Take the Strengths Finder Test.
- 👥 How does your personality affect your pregnancy? Take the Personality Test to find out!
- 🛤 Could an abortion affect me long term?
