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Is Abortion Good or Bad? Is Abortion Murder? 20 Frequently Asked Questions About Abortion Answered

What Is Abortion?

Abortion can be referred to as a process whereby a pregnancy is ended so that it doesn’t result in the birth of a child. Sometimes it is called ‘termination of pregnancy’. Abortion means deliberately ending a pregnancy. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or “spontaneous abortion.”

TYPES OF ABORTION

There are five types of abortion: medical, surgical and Dilation and Curettage (D&C), Traditional abortion and others.

1. Medical Abortion.

This is the type of abortion that requires the intake of medical pills orally or inserted in the vagina to terminate the pregnancy. The type of abortion pills to use depends on how old the pregnancy is.

2. Surgical Abortion.

Surgical abortion involves a quick, minor operation. This is usually performed by health professionals. Most abortions are performed using suction (vacuum) aspiration’ or suction curettage’. To have this procedure, you need to be in your first trimester (first 3 months or 12 weeks) of pregnancy.

Your cervix is gradually widened with rods of increasing size, and a slim tube is then inserted into your uterus. The pregnancy (the fetus and the placenta) is withdrawn with gentle suction. Another instrument called a curette is used to check if the uterus is empty.

During the abortion, it is also safe to have contraception such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or contraceptive implant (Implanon NXT) inserted if you would like. This operation takes less than 30 minutes.

3. Traditional Abortion.

Traditional abortion involves the use of herbal concoctions to terminate the pregnancy. The mix of herbs with dry gin is common among the locals. However, it is very dangerous because, at times, it can result in death.

4. Dilation and Curettage (D&C).

D&C involves dilating the cervix and scraping the uterine lining to remove the pregnancy. This procedure is generally performed during the first 16 weeks of gestation.

5. Dilation and Evacuation (D&E).

D&E is typically performed after 16 weeks of gestation. The cervix is dilated, and the pregnancy is removed using suction and medical instruments.

In-Clinic Abortion vs. Self-Managed Abortion:

In-clinic abortion procedures are performed under the supervision of healthcare professionals in a medical facility. On the other hand, self-managed abortion refers to instances where individuals use medications or other methods outside of a clinical setting. The legality and safety of self-managed abortion vary widely depending on regional regulations and available resources.

IS ABORTION GOOD OR BAD?

This question has been a debate among people, as some may agree that abortion is good while others oppose the case, but is abortion really bad? The answer is “no.” Abortion is not as bad as people paint it. Below are valid reasons why abortion is not bad:

1. It Prevents Shame and Negative Criticism.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, an estimated 1.25 million induced abortions occurred in Nigeria in 2012, “equivalent to a rate of 33 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–49.” Women commit abortions worldwide. The reason why some women terminate pregnancy maybe to prevent shame and negative criticism from the public, especially young ladies who are victims of rape.

Would you advise a woman who was gang raped and, through that, got pregnant to keep the child? It’s going to be tough for her and terminating the pregnancy may be the ultimate solution.

2. To Avert Poverty.

Although abortion should never be encouraged because it is illegal in some countries and comes with serious health complications, we can’t shy away from the fact that abortion is safe in the sense that it prevents overpopulation, which is one of the major causes of poverty.

Does it make any sense to birth a child into this world while you can’t afford to feed and provide shelter for them? Imagine giving birth to a child when you can’t afford to feed yourself talkless of a child, raising them in school, and providing for other basic needs. If this is one of the reasons why you terminate the pregnancy, then you have a good reason to do that.

Yes, people will judge you; they will say it’s a sin; they will say you committed murder; but do you also know that these same people will criticize you if you give birth without proper plans? They will ask you, “Where is the child’s father?” “When you were having sex and enjoying it, was I there? If you dare beg them for financial assistance to take care of your medical bills.

Some will even mock you and call you different names. Abortion saves you from poverty, especially when you are not financially capable of raising a child on your own. By the way, you do want to be a useless father or a useless mother to your kids.

3. Fear of Being a Single Mother.

The stigma attached to single mothers is not something that is easy to control. Society often judges single mothers as “irresponsible.” Perhaps they think that most of them got pregnant out of wedlock, and now imagine if you get pregnant for a boyfriend and he denies responsibility or abandons you. It is not going to be easy to carry the responsibility alone unless you are emotionally strong and have supportive family and friends.

So if you got pregnant out of wedlock and gave birth and your baby daddy later broke up with you, seeing another man who will love you genuinely won’t be easy because most guys wouldn’t like to settle down with a woman who has a child from a previous relationship or marriage, and this is why abortion may be good as it eliminates the negative stigma attached with being a single mother. By the way, nobody will know you have had an abortion before unless you tell them yourself.

4.Your Career and Dreams Don’t End.

Many students are careless when they get to school; they have fun without using protection, which results in unwanted pregnancy. Some had to drop out of school to hustle for money to take care of the woman and her child, while others forfeited their studentship because they couldn’t cope with pregnancy and studying. This alone has stopped many people from pursuing their dreams to nursing children. Why sacrifice your education and career for pregnancy when there are safe options to terminate it?

Yes, abortion is not something to be proud of, but sincerely, it has saved many people from dropping out of school.

Consequences/Side Effects of abortion.

While abortion may be good in the sense that it averts overpopulation, poverty, unwanted pregnancy, shame, and saves you from being a single mother with negative criticism from society, among others, it is crucial to know the dangers associated with abortion. Below are the consequences of abortion:

1. Heartbreak.

Termination of pregnancy for a boyfriend can result in a breakup. Studies have shown that about 1 in 3 men will dump their girlfriend who had an abortion for them. They think that for a woman to have an abortion, she won’t be able to conceive in the future, so they dump them and go for a new partner.

If your girlfriend had an abortion for you, dumping her is not a wise thing to do. Remember, she did that to save you, and rewarding her with a breakup is very bad.

2. Inability to Conceive in the Future.

Abortion can affect a woman’s fertility and, in some cases, have negative side effects on her womb. When you finally decide to settle down in life with your dream husband, you may face challenges bearing children.

I’ve seen women who had a series of abortions and yet still were able to conceive, and a woman who had a single abortion that damaged her womb. Not everybody can be so lucky in life; thus, before you choose abortion as your final decision, remember the consequences.

3. Death.

Millions of people die each year as a result of failed or incomplete abortions. This may be due to a lack of proper orientation and self-abortion by pregnant women. Some of them will go to social media to ask for the type of drugs to use, and some may cook herbal concoctions to terminate the pregnancy, which in most cases results in death. While abortion may not really be a bad idea, it is very important for you to know that the consequences sometimes include death.

4. Complications.

Abortion comes with serious health complications, such as heavy bleeding from the vagina, body weakness, headaches and other health issues. Complications occur in around 3 percent of surgical abortion cases. The risk of complications depends on how many weeks pregnant you are. Abortions performed in the first three months are the safest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abortion:

1. Excess Bleeding After an Abortion.

Bleeding after an abortion should be similar to a menstrual period. If heavy bleeding occurs, this can show that the abortion may not be complete and that some of the pregnancy tissue is still inside the uterus (‘retained products of conception’). This may need treatment with tablets or surgery like suction curettage. Blood transfusions are rarely required.

2. Is Postinor2 An Abortion Pill?

No, postinor2 is not an abortion pill; rather, it is a contraceptive pill that helps prevent pregnancy effectively when used within 24-72 hours after unprotected sex. You can’t use it for abortion; it doesn’t work. You can only use it to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex within 1-3 days. This means that if a laboratory test confirms that you are pregnant, Postinor2 can’t be used to terminate the pregnancy.

3. Is It Possible to Abort A 2 Month Pregnancy?

Yes, it is possible to abort after two months of pregnancy.

4. I’m Pregnant. Should I Keep the Baby or Terminate It?

If the test confirms that you are pregnant, talk to your partner about it, and both of you must be on the same page on what to do. Whether to keep the pregnancy or terminate it remains a personal decision you should make on your own. However, if I were you, I would keep it considering the dangers and health complications associated with abortion, perhaps if the pregnancy is over 3 months.

Nevertheless, if your final decision is to abort the pregnancy, please make sure you are under the supervision of a health professional to ensure everything is done perfectly, goes well, and the abortion is complete.

5. Is Abortion A Sin?

Abortion is a sin in countries where abortion is illegal, and such an offense may attract a jail term depending on the law governing such a country. For instance, in Nigeria, abortion is illegal and may attract a jail term of 3–14 years, depending on the circumstances.

Meanwhile, religious people also believe that abortion is a sin and refer to the act as murder. Whatever the case may be, there are some instances where abortion remains the ultimate decision. If your religion is against abortion, please kindly hold onto that and keep the baby. However, if you think terminating the pregnancy is the best solution, then go ahead; perhaps you can still ask God for forgiveness after all; he’s a merciful God.

6. What Is the Alternative to Abortion?

The best alternative to abortion is to always use a condom. Condoms save you from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy, which may put you at risk of abortion.

However, if you had unprotected sex, make sure to use contraceptive pills like Postinor2 or Combination3 immediately after the unprotected sex to avoid getting pregnant. The earlier you used these drugs after unprotected sex, the better your chances of preventing pregnancy.

7. How Much is Abortion Pills in Nigeria?

The price of an abortion pill in Nigeria depends on the product of the drug you want to use. It ranges from #4,000 to #30,000, depending on how many weeks or months the pregnancy lasts. Some of the effective abortion pills in Nigeria and their prices are: Misofem, which costs about #4,000; Mispostol costs about #3,500 and Mifepack which costs about #30,000 only.

8. Is Abortion Murder?

Murder can be described as the crime of deliberately killing a person without moral justification.

Abortion is a threat to a fetus’ right to live, but whether it is murder depends on the circumstances on the ground and what exactly you consider human beings. Whether or not you call abortion murder depends on: What exactly do you consider a human being? When can you talk about killing? (When do you consider the fetus to be an independent lifeform?

For example, a mother with a threatening baby has little or no other option than to abort. In fact, the doctor will readily recommend it. So in this case, we can’t generalize abortion as murder. However, the mother with a free and healthy womb who terminated her pregnancy is just wicked, but still, we can’t label her a murderer because she has the right to make her choice whether to keep or terminate the baby.

9. What Is the Best Drug for Abortion?

There are many of them, and they perform the same or similar functions. Some of the effective drugs are Misofem, Mispostol, Mifepack, and others. Never use these drugs without your doctor’s prescription. Make sure you talk to your doctor first before using any drugs to avoid severe complications.

10. Why Is My Stomach Big After an Abortion?

You may notice some abdominal swelling after an abortion; this is normal. Some swelling may take about 3–7 days. However, if your stomach is still big a month after abortion with excessive bleeding, fever, and cramping, this could be a sign of an incomplete abortion, so you should visit your local clinic for a post-abortion checkup.

11. When Is It Safe to Have Sex After an Abortion?

You can have sex again as soon as you are healthy again. You may have sex again 2-3 weeks after a successful abortion. However, make sure you have completely healed and the abortion is complete before trying sex again with your partner.

12. At What Age Is Abortion Dangerous?

According to the National Library of Medicine, for developing regions as a whole, two-thirds of unsafe abortions occur among women aged 15–30 and 14% among women under the age of 20. The age pattern of unsafe abortions differs markedly between regions, however. Almost 60% of unsafe abortions in Africa are among women under the age of 25, and almost 80% are among women under the age of 30. Nevertheless, make sure you seek help from health professionals before giving abortion a go-ahead.

13. When Is the Best Time to Get an Abortion?

The best time to get an abortion is between the 1st and 8th weeks of the pregnancy. As soon as you are confirmed to be pregnant, make a decision quickly. The earliest is the best.

14. How Painful Is an Abortion?

Abortion is very painful. It is more painful than menstrual cramps and similar to labor pain. You will feel a lot of pain in your stomach, a heavy headache all over your body, and serious bleeding. This pain is so tough that I will not advise anyone to try abortion.

15. Is It Normal to Bleed After Abortion?

Yes, it is normal to bleed after an abortion. The bleeding may take up to 10–15 days in some cases. It is important to know that the body varies among individuals. Normally, after an abortion, you will bleed heavily.

16. Is It Safe to Abort a One-Month Pregnancy?

Yes, it is safe to abort a one-month pregnancy. Like I said earlier, make sure you are under the supervision of a health professional. Do not engage in self-abortion. Make sure you see a health professional first.

17. What Is the Main Cause of Abortion?

Unwanted pregnancy and a lack of sex education are the major causes of abortion. Some couples refuse to use protection while making love, which results in an unwanted pregnancy; some women were raped; some are not ready to become mothers or fathers yet, wishing to complete education or advance a career; thus, they see abortion as the ultimate solution.

18. Is Abortion Morally Wrong?

Yes, abortion is morally wrong. In fact, certain religions and traditional groups forbade abortion and labeled it a sin. It is morally wrong to commit an abortion. If you can’t create a life, why kill it?

19. How Effective Is the Abortion Pill?

Abortion pills, also known as medication abortion or medical abortion, have become a widely used method for terminating early pregnancies. The effectiveness of these pills depends on various factors, and it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of how they work and their success rates.

Abortion pills are very effective if used in the early weeks of pregnancy. It is very effective if used as prescribed by your doctor or physician. How can this drug be used? Use it as directed by your doctor or physician.

20. Is Abortion Cruelty and Wickedness?

Abortion is also cruel in the way in which they do it.

They can give you a pill that blocks nutrients from going through your baby’s cord, so it will be starved of oxygen and food and will die. Now, please tell me, isn’t that cruel?
They can give you some medicine that burns the baby and turns it a black color.
They can take the baby out using forceps, which often cause the baby to come out in bits (head, arms, legs, etc.).
Lastly, they can give you a pill that will make you contract early and give birth to the baby, then dispose of it.

Should I Abort or Keep the Baby?

Abortion is very painful; it could damage your womb and turn you into a barren woman; it could lead to death, so if you know what is best for you, the best advice is for you to keep the baby for your own good. It’s better to keep the baby than abort it and face severe complications.

Remember, we were once an embryo in our mother’s womb, so if they all decided to terminate the pregnancy at that time, we wouldn’t be alive by now to witness this day.

IN CONCLUSION:

Although abortion is illegal in some countries and religious groups condemn it, it is not as bad as people thought. Abortion is a safe and legal type of surgery when performed by a trained medical professional. If your final decision is terminating that pregnancy, make sure it is carried out by a professional and under supervision to avoid severe complications.