THE DEADLY ACT [ABORTION]

The term “Abortion” according to the Advanced Learner Dictionary refers to “the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Merriam Websterdefined abortion as “a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy and cause the death of the foetus.

The Medical Dictionaryrefers to abortion as “termination of pregnancy before the foetus is viable or capable of survival outside the uterus”. It is also likened to induced abortion, the deliberate interruption of pregnancy, as opposed tomiscarriage which connotes a spontaneous or natural loss of the foetus.

About two-third of all abortions are procured during the first three months and ae fairly common. Abortion is voluntary compared to miscarriage, and may occur for two reasons:

1. To save the mother’s life; or

2. Because the pregnancy is not wanted at that time.

 

Now, why do some girls prefer abortion to having the baby?

Most girls do this because:

• they want to keep the pregnancy secret

• the male friend has denied the paternity (being the father) of the child

• they want to continue with their initial interest (good or bad)

• they want to hide the shame of pregnancy out of wedlock

• they do not want to shame the families involved

• they lack financial support

 

What therefore are the consequences or side effects of Abortion?

Abortion, has brutal has it is, has physical, psychological and moral effects. This is why we must desist and not encourage people into it.

The Physical Effects of Abortion include:

• damage in cervical muscles

• damage to the uterine muscles which may result in uterine perforation

• infections

• haemorrhage and fever

• blood clotting disorder

• inability to conceive and bear children in the future [sterility]

•  ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in the fallopian tube)

• 17.5% chances of miscarriage in the future and 24.3% likelihood of complications during future pregnancies (Grugni, 1977)

• Menstrual disturbances

• Insomnia (sleeplessness), loss of appetite and weight loss

• Exhaustion and decrease in work capacity

• Vomiting, frigidity and

• Gastrointestinal disturbances