Abortion

Subject: Midwifery I (Theory)

Overview

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus becomes viable. The age of viability varies depending on the country. It normally occurs between 20 and 27 weeks of gestation. It has been agreed upon in Nepal for 22 weeks. Abortion is caused by chromosomal abnormalities, multiple malformations, surgery and trauma, parental age exceeding 40 years, and other factors.

Abortion is defined by Figo (1976) as the spontaneous or induced expulsion or extraction from the uterus of a fetus or embryo weighing less than 500gm or before 20 weeks of gestation. Abortion is also known as a miscarriage or early pregnancy loss.

Abortion is the expulsion or extraction of an embryo or fetus weighing 500gm or less from its mother when it is incapable of independent living. - The World Health Organization

Incidence

75 percent of abortions occur before the 16th week of pregnancy, and 75 percent of these occur before the 8th week of pregnancy.

Causes

Anomalies in the chromosomes
Several flaws
Blighted egg
Polyhydramnios with a low-lying placenta
Maternal diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and Rh incompatibility
Severe mental anguish
Trauma and surgery
Hypoplasia of the genitalia
Local trauma, infection, and disease
Sperm with a genetic flaw
Translocation that is balanced
Parental age of more than 40 years

References

Tuitui R. 2002, A textbook of Midwifery A (Antenatal), 3rd edition, Vidyarthi Pustak Bhandari (Publisher and Distributor), Bhotahity, Kathmandu
ToWomenHealth. http://www.2womenshealth.com/Abortion-sign-symptom-cause.htm
SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/crisbertc/types-of-abortion
Prezi. 17 February 2011. https://prezi.com/7avru5nzs1en/types-of-abortion-management-nurses-perspective/
NCBI. 22 June 1930. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC381898/?page=

Things to remember

Abortion is the expulsion or extraction of an embryo or fetus weighing 500gm or less from its mother when it is incapable of independent living.
Abortion is also known as miscarriage or early pregnancy loss.

Questions and Answers

Define abortion

Abortion, as defined by Figo (1976), is the spontaneous or induced removal from the uterus of a fetus or embryo weighing less than 500g or before 20 weeks of gestation. Miscarriage or early pregnancy loss are terms that are frequently used to describe abortion. When an embryo or fetus weighs 500 grams or less and is unable to survive on its own, its mother is forced to abort it.