While abortion continues to be a hotly debated topic throughout America in 2010, women are still seeking the procedure when they feel they are not ready to a child, have been raped or their health is in danger. The Westside Pregnancy Clinic says that 22 percent of pregnancies are terminated. Whatever the reason, abortion poses several risks to the health of the mother. These risks usually increase depending on the number of abortions that the woman has had.
Cancer
The Westside Pregnancy Clinic says that some studies have linked abortion to increased risk of developing cancer while other studies have found no such link. However, a woman seeking an abortion should consider the risk beforehand. Abortion may lead to a doubled risk of getting breast cancer in women who have had an abortion. According to the Elliot Institute, abortion can also increase the risk of getting cervical, ovarian and liver cancer, a risk which increases with each subsequent pregnancy. This is likely due to the disruption in natural hormonal changes that occur with pregnancy.
Future Pregnancies
A woman who has an abortion faces several problems that can arise later in life when she is ready to have a baby. The Elliot Institute says that women who have had an abortion could face a pre-term or post-term delivery down the road, both of which can lead to handicaps in a baby. Additionally, abortion often leads to cervical or uterine damage that can result in handicaps in future infants. Abortion has also been linked to higher rates of ectopic pregnancy, where the fetus attaches outside the uterus, says the Elliot Institute. Finally, the Westside Pregnancy Clinic maintains that abortion can cause a woman to become sterile due to damage to her reproductive organs during the procedure.
Death
While the Westside Pregnancy Clinic says that death as a result of abortion is very rare, it can still happen. Usually it is due to hemorrhaging, infection, embolism or complications from the administration of anesthesia. The Elliot Institute says that women who have abortions are at a higher risk of suicide due to the emotions involved in the procedure. This can also lead to more risk-taking behavior, which can result in homicide. Abortion can also lead to eating disorders and substance abuse, which can result in death. Therapy is available for women seeking the procedure.
Procedure
There are also several risks to the mother while the abortion is being performed, says the Elliot Institute. The uterus of the mother can be damaged by the tools used for the abortion, which can lead to problems with future pregnancies and can even leave a woman sterile. A woman's cervix is also in danger of being lacerated, which may require stitches. Down the road, this can result in a cervix that can't support another pregnancy and complications during future labors. Additionally, an abortion can make it easier for the placenta to separate from the uterine wall in future pregnancies, which can result in death to both mother and baby in its most severe form.
