Need of the Hour: Safe Abortion Practices

One of the most significant events in a woman's life is childbearing, and naturally, she should have the right to decide how many children she will have and when. In these days of women’s emancipation, it is crucial that women retain greater control over their lives, especially regarding reproductive choices.?

Although every effort to promote contraceptive methods is being made, there will still be a need for pregnancy termination in some cases. The international health community contains a wealth of resources that, if properly coordinated, could have an immediate and significant impact on reducing the global rates of mortality and morbidity caused by complications from unsafe abortions.

The Reality of Unwanted Pregnancies

Unwanted pregnancy is a proxy indicator for the unmet need for contraception. In various developing nations even today, women try a variety of remedies to deal with unwanted pregnancies, including tablets, decoctions, sticks, and visits to unsafe providers. Induced abortion is one of the most frequently performed operations in gynaecology and one of the most thoroughly studied. Because of a variety of medical and social factors, abortions are most frequently provided in outpatient settings.

Safety of Legal Abortions?

The overall risk of death from legal abortion is less than 1 per 100,000. However, abortion complications are responsible for 13% of maternal deaths globally. Illegally induced abortion is a major cause of death among women of reproductive age group. Almost all deaths and complications from unsafe abortions are preventable. In many developing countries, there is limited access to recognised medical facilities and a growing need for a safe and effective method of early pregnancy termination.

A Half-Century of Legalisation in India?

Even after 50 years of the legalisation of voluntary termination of pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act in India, access to safe abortion services, particularly in rural areas, remains limited. Around 73 million induced abortions occur worldwide each year. Six out of ten (61%) of unintended pregnancies and three out of ten (29%) of all pregnancies result in induced abortion.?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year 4.7–13.2% of maternal deaths are attributable to unsafe abortion. In developed regions, about 30 women die for every 100,000 unsafe abortions, whereas in developing regions, this number rises to 220 deaths per 100,000 unsafe abortions. Each hour, eight women die due to unsafe abortions. For every woman who dies from an unsafe abortion, many more suffer from serious injuries and permanent disabilities.?

Preventing Unnecessary Deaths and Disabilities?

Every one of these deaths and disabilities could have been prevented through sexuality education, access to family planning, and the provision of safe, legal, induced abortion, along with care for abortion-related complications.

“It’s vital that an abortion is safe in medical terms, but that’s not enough on its own.” As with any other health services, abortion care needs to respect the decisions and needs of women and girls, ensuring that they are treated with dignity and without stigma or judgement.?

The Impact of Restrictive Laws?

Evidence shows that restricting access to abortions does not reduce the number of abortions performed. In fact, restrictions are more likely to push women and girls toward unsafe procedures. In countries where abortion is highly restricted, only 1 in 4 abortions is safe, compared to nearly 9 in 10 in countries where the procedure is broadly legal.?

The evidence is clear—if you want to prevent unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, you need to provide women and girls with a comprehensive package that includes sexuality education, accurate family planning information, services, and access to quality abortion care.

Ensuring Quality Care

Quality abortion care should be effective—delivered by skilled health workers equipped with the right resources and information. It must be safe, accessible to everyone in need, provided in a timely manner, and always respectful of the rights, needs, and dignity of women and girls.

Dr. Priti Anand

MBBS, MS, MRCOG