ABORTION Expulsion of the products of conception or the termination of pregnancy spontaneously or by induction prior to ability. (Dr.

Andre E. Hellegers)
Age of viability = 20 - 24 weeks
Types of ABORTION
A. Spontaneous
B. Induced
A. SPONTANEOUS ABORTION occurs naturally with no artificial means and the fetus is usually lost in first semester.
COMMON CAUSES are related to abnormal development of the embryo or fetus due to:

Teratogenic drugs
Imperfections in the sperm or ova
Genetic make-up
Faculty implantation due to abnormalities of the female generative tract
Placental abnormalities(Production of HGG can cause loss of pregnancy)
HGG (Human Chorionic Genudstrophin) prolongs the life of the CORPUS LUTEUM.

Uterine fibroid tumors

1.

Incompetent cervix

CLASSIFICATION OF SPONTANEOUS ABORTION

Threatened is characterized by: unexplained bleeding, cramps & headache, uterine contraction w/ (-) cervical

2.

dilatation, the fetus can survive!

Imminent/ Inevitable is manifested by: bleeding, uterine contraction w/ (+) cervical dilatation,
membrane nepture, the fetus cannot survived.

3.

Incomplete Abortion vaginal bleeding w/ cervical dilatation

not all products of conception expelled, most often the Placenta is retained!

4. Complete Abortion is when all product of conception are expelled:

(+) vaginal bleeding

(+)cervical dilatation

5. Missed/ fetal demiced means death of the fetus within 2 weeks inside the uterus. (not expelled)

DARK BROWN vaginal

discharges

(+) uterine contraction

uterine growth ceases

breast change regresses

cervix is closed

6. Habitual Abortion means abortion is occur consecutively in three or more pregnancies.

(-) uterine contraction
(+)cervical dilatation
Cause: INCOMPETENT CERVIX due to:
1. Cervical trauma
2. Prior use of DES(Diethyl Stilbesteron) by the mother of the pregnant woman

B. INDUCED ABORTION result from artificial or mechanical interruption or due to voluntary or

effective human intervention.
It may be

saught as an END or as a MEANS.

purpose is to get rid of the body
As a Means, other effects are sought as in the so called therapeutic abortion where in the health of the mother is concerned.
Induced abortion is thus intrinsically EVIL and must be qualified as HOMICIDE.
As an END, the

Technique of Induced Abortion:

*ABORTION by D and C dilatation and curettage
*ABORTION by cesarian or by abdominal
hysterectomy.
*ABORTION by Suction

EFFECTS OF ABORTION
1. Physical Effects
PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ABORTION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

*ABORTION by or via INTRA-AMNIOTIC infiltration

*ABORTION via injection of prostaglandin
Ex: RU 486 progesterone antagonist
3 to 4 months.

2. Psychological Effects

Habitual miscarriage
Ectopic pregnancy
Menstrual discomfort
Still birth
Bleeding

6.
7.
8.
9.

Shocked ( Hypovolemic
shocked)=death
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Coma

10. Weight loss

11. Frigidity-absence of
sexual desire

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ABORTION

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Guilt
Suicidal tendencies
Los of self-fulfillment
Loss of confidence
Hostility

6.
7.
8.
9.

Thwarted maternal instinct

Baby hater
Self distructive behavior
Anger
Rage violent

10.
11.
12.
13.

Helpless
Loss of interest in sex
Inability to forgive self
Intense interest in baby

WHO- Chronicler of 1976

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

When mother is authorized to safeguard her mental or physical health

When pregnancy is caused of rape or inscese occurs in minor
When the mother has been exposed to radiation that may result to fetal abnormalities
When downs syndrome or mongolism is been diagnose to amniocentesis
When parents are both mentally incapacitated

View of Points:
1.
2.
3.

CONSERVATIVE abortion is never permissible; fetus has ontological status.

INTERMEDIATE OR MODERATE morally permissible up to certain stage of fetal development or permissible of
reasons to justify the taking of life. a fetus has tological status when it reaches the age of viability.
LIBERAL abortion is always permissible; a fetus has no ontological status, a woman has right to control her body,
fetus is like a tissue in the body, since fetus is only disposable it should be dispose.