There are various reasons for a woman to have an abortion. However, please note that abortion has medical and legal risks, especially if it is done illegally. The risk will also increase if the abortion is done not by a doctor.
Abortion is an abortion to end a pregnancy. There are various causes for a woman to have an abortion, including pregnancy out of wedlock, economic incapacity, lack of family support, to problems with her partner. On the other hand, abortion can also be performed if the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother or fetus.
Various Abortion Methods
There are two methods used in the act of abortion, namely the use of drugs and medical procedures. The following is an explanation of the two methods:
Methods of abortion using drugs
Abortion with this method is done by giving oral or injectable drugs that can block the hormone progesterone, so that the lining of the uterus thins. This causes the fetus can not attach and grow in the uterine wall.
The effect of drugs used for abortion will also cause the uterus to contract, so that the embryo or fetal tissue will be expelled through the vagina.
Medical abortion method
The most commonly used medical procedure for performing an abortion is vacuum aspiration. This action is usually done when the pregnancy has just entered the first trimester.
There are two tools that are generally used to remove the embryo from the uterus through this procedure, namely manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and electric vacuum aspiration (EVA).
MVA is done using a suction tube manually, while EVA uses an electric pump.
For abortion at gestational age of more than 4 months, the medical measures used are dilation and evacuation (D&E). This method uses surgical equipment to open the cervix and suck the fetus out of the uterus.
Various Abortion Risks
Just like every other medical procedure, abortion also has risks, especially if it is carried out in a place with limited facilities, not by medical personnel, without any underlying medical conditions, and carried out with unsafe methods.
The risks of abortion include:
- Heavy bleeding
- Injury to the uterus or infection due to incomplete abortion
- infertility
- Ectopic pregnancy in subsequent pregnancies
- Cervical conditions that are not optimal due to multiple abortions
All abortion methods have risks or complications. Gestational age also plays a role in determining the level of risk. The older the gestational age, the higher the risk of an abortion.
Dangerous Abortion Category
The following are the categories of unsafe abortion according to the world health organization (WHO):
- Performed by people who do not have adequate medical expertise in the field of abortion.
- Performed in a place with facilities that do not adequately meet hygiene requirements.
- Done using inappropriate equipment.
In addition, dangerous abortions are also carried out by taking drugs or using certain aids without a doctor's supervision.
Abortion for Medical Purposes
In Indonesia, the regulation regarding abortion is contained in Law Number 36 of 2009 concerning Health and the Criminal Code (KUHP). In the law, all people are generally prohibited from having an abortion.
However, based on article 75 of the Health Law, abortion may be performed for the following medical reasons:
- There is an indication of a medical emergency in early pregnancy that threatens the life of the mother and/or fetus
- The fetus suffers from severe genetic disorders or congenital defects that cannot be cured, making it difficult for the fetus to survive outside the womb
- Pregnancy occurs as a result of traumatizing rape
Abortions performed outside of the above conditions are illegal. In Article 194 of the Health Law, anyone involved in an illegal abortion can be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp. 1 billion.
Legally Allowed Abortion
Abortion due to rape is specifically described further in Government Regulation no. 61 of 2014 concerning Reproductive Health or PP Kespro as implementing regulations for the Health Law.
Article 31 of the regulation states that abortion can only be performed at a maximum gestational age of 40 days from the first day of the last menstrual period (HPHT) based on a doctor's certificate.
In addition, Article 34 (2b) also mentions the conditions for undergoing an abortion, namely the existence of information from investigators, psychologists, or other experts confirming the allegation that rape has occurred.
Therefore, the victim needs to immediately report the incident of rape to the nearest police station. The police will take the victim to the Resort Police which has a Women and Children Service (PPA) unit. From the PPA unit, the victim will then be transferred to the police referral hospital to undergo the post-mortem process.
If the victim needs psychological counseling, the PPA unit will make a referral to the Integrated Service Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children (P2TP2A) for further assistance.
Victims of rape or other acts of violence can also contact the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) for help and support.
Consider various aspects before you perform or engage in the act of abortion. Do not let it actually endanger your own life.
You can also first consult with a doctor or an authorized counselor to find out more about safe and legal abortion, both medically and legally.