Week 7 Pregnancy Abortion | FREE Doctor Consultation

How is Abortion Done in 7 Weeks of Pregnancy?

At 7 weeks, the pregnancy is still in the first trimester, and therefore, the termination of pregnancy is carried out with the help of medication. As the fetus isn’t significantly developed at this stage. Abortion at this stage is safe, and the process is relatively uncomplicated.

In a medical abortion, the doctors use a combination of two medicines mifepristone and misoprostol for the termination of pregnancy. This method helps in successfully terminating a pregnancy and accompanies very little complications. A medical abortion is considered effective for the termination of pregnancies according to patient’s condition & doctor’s prescription.  This is just a two-step process: 

• The woman is asked to take mifepristone- a medicine that stops the production of the hormone progesterone, which plays a significant role in maintaining pregnancy. 
• 24 to 48 hours following the procedure, the woman is instructed to take the other medicine (misoprostol) which induces uterine contractions, and causes expulsion of the pregnancy. 

After the administration of the second medication, the woman can expect some cramping and bleeding, which indicates the expulsion of the pregnancy tissue from the uterus and termination of the pregnancy. The cramps and bleeding are similar to what women experience in a heavy menstrual period. 

Once the tissue is expelled, the woman must visit the doctors once, to ensure the tissue is completely expelled from the body and there’s nothing remaining. An incomplete abortion can be risky to the patient’s health. If the doctor’s suspect an incomplete abortion during their post-procedure diagnostic, they may perform a procedure called Dilation & Curettage (D&C) that involves surgical removal of the remaining tissue. In this procedure, the cervix is dilated and a suction device is used to gently extract the remaining tissue from the body.

Recovery After Week 7 Pregnancy Abortion

Following a 7 week pregnancy abortion, most women experience some side effects, which are indicative of the expulsion of the pregnancy tissue. These may include severe cramping, along with profuse bleeding, that often resonates a heavy menstrual period. These symptoms subside when all the contents are completely expelled from the body, and the woman can easily return to her normal routine soon after. The periods, most likely, return within 4 to 6 weeks of the abortion.

Read more: Recovery After Abortion

But, since abortion can significantly impact a woman’s physical and emotional well-being, she must take the necessary precautions to pace up the healing process and recover without complications. Here are some tips that can help a woman ensure hassle-free recovery after a week 7 pregnancy abortion: 

• Take rest: Abortion can take a toll on the physical and mental health of a woman. Therefore, the woman who has undergone a termination of pregnancy, irrespective of at what stage of the pregnancy, must give her mind and body the appropriate time to heal and recover. She must not rush into resuming her normal routine.
• Listen to the doctor: The doctors generally provide several instructions on how to recover from an abortion. These may include tips on what to eat, the medications to take, and lifestyle changes to make. It is important to follow the instructions diligently to avoid complications.
• Take medication as directed: Since cramping and bleeding may occur after an abortion, the doctors may prescribe certain medications to help women manage it. Typically, doctors suggest acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help manage the symptoms. It is important to take the medication as prescribed, and resume any medication after consulting with the doctor.
• Do not avoid signs of complications: Even though medical abortions are safe, they do accompany the risk of complications such as infection, hemorrhage  or excessive bleeding that does not subside, retained blood clots in the uterus, etc, that require prompt medical intervention. If the patient notices signs of complications, they must immediately seek medical intervention.
• Resume sex with the doctor’s advice: It is best to take the doctor’s suggestion on when to resume sexual activity after a 7 week abortion, especially if a D&C procedure was performed for the treatment of complications.
• Get emotional support from friends and family: An abortion can be difficult for several women, and may impact them emotionally. Therefore, women are advised to talk to their friends and family to deal with the emotional impacts of an abortion. Women can also join support groups and talk to other women who’ve had abortions.
• Do not skip follow-up appointments:  After an abortion, the woman is advised to attend follow-up appointments as scheduled by your healthcare provider. Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor your recovery progress and ensure that there are no complications. Be sure to attend these appointments as scheduled and share any concerns you may have with your healthcare provider.

Risks and Complications Associated with Week 7 Pregnancy Abortion

Pregnancy termination at 7 weeks of pregnancy with medication is very safe, when it’s performed under the supervision of a trained professional, and the patient takes the necessary precautions. Complications are rare, but the possibility of complications can not be ignored. Some complications associated with a 7 week pregnancy abortion are as follows: 

• Incomplete abortion: Sometimes, the pregnancy tissue may not pass completely from the woman’s body. Retained pregnancy tissue can lead to severe, life threatening complications. Therefore, it is important for patients to understand the signs of an incomplete abortion, and seek immediate medical intervention if they suspect they may have had it. Symptoms include excessive vaginal bleeding along with excruciating pain that does not subside.
• Infections: Abortion, especially if surgical methods such as D&C was used, exposes a woman to infections. If a woman experiences high fever along with other discomforting symptoms after an abortion, she must immediately contact her healthcare provider for treatment.
• Excessive bleeding (Hemorrhage): It is normal for women to experience excessive bleeding after an abortion. It indicates the expulsion of the pregnancy tissue. However, if the bleeding is profuse and does not stop for several days, the patients must immediately consult with a healthcare provider.
• Diarrhea and digestive pain:  Some women may also experience digestive problems such as diarrhea or digestive pain after their abortion, along with other symptoms like nausea and vomiting. 
• Allergic reaction to the medications: It is possible to develop an allergic reaction to the medication used in the process. This can be treated by doctors if reported promptly. In addition, it is important to inform the doctor about any allergies from medication beforehand. 

Is 7 Week Pregnancy Abortion Legal in India?

In India, abortion of pregnancy till 20 weeks of gestation is legal, but under certain criteria. The woman needs to meet the criteria to be eligible for the procedure. In addition, she needs to be fit enough to undergo an abortion. An abortion can be performed legally if: 

• There’s a risk to the mother’s life or that of the child. 
• The fetus has severe abnormalities.
• The consent of the woman or her legal guardian (if the individual is minor or has mental abnormalities). 
• If the pregnancy has resulted due to rape or incest, and if it poses a risk to the physical or mental health of the woman. 

An abortion can only be performed by a registered medical practitioner with specific qualifications. While the MTP Act is a federal law, individual states may have their own laws regarding abortion. Some states may impose additional restrictions on abortion, such as mandatory counseling, waiting periods, or parental consent.

One must note that abortion laws often change, and individuals seeking an abortion should consult with a healthcare provider or legal professional for the most up-to-date information. 

Cost of 7 Week Abortion in India

In India, a 7-week pregnancy abortion can cost an individual anywhere from Rs.2000 to Rs.5000. The total cost, however, is subject to differing factors. The complete expense a patient may have to bear for their abortion is calculated after a comprehensive assessment of several factors. Some common factors that can impact the cost of 7-week pregnancy abortion include: 

• The location of the patient. Treatment costs are higher in metropolitan cities. 
• The fees of the doctor, as doctors with more experience typically charge higher compared to less experienced doctors. 
• The cost of any additional procedures. If a D&C is required after a medical abortion, its cost can also cause the total procedure cost to inflate. 

It is important for patients to get the cost estimate for the abortion procedure beforehand in order to avoid financial strain in the end. Having an idea of the total treatment expense is necessary for financial preparedness.

Insurance Coverage for 7 Week Abortion in India

It’s essential to be aware that the majority of insurance companies in India do not cover abortion expenses in their health insurance or mediclaim policies. Abortion is often considered an elective procedure, chosen for personal reasons by women, and therefore, they’re supposed to bear the entire treatment cost on their own.

There may be exceptions, though. In medically necessary situations where the health of the mother or the baby is at risk, some insurance policies may cover abortion expenses. However, this coverage is subject to the specific terms and conditions set by each health insurance company. To determine if your abortion procedure will be covered, it’s advisable to reach out to your insurance provider and inquire about the details.