Bereavement in Obstetrics — Abortion

Bereavement in Obstetrics

Bereavement in obstetrics is a difficult topic to cover. Due to recent news about the change to abortion laws in Texas, I think we should think about bereavement in obstetrics in relation to abortion. Although abortion is a choice, it can still come with guilt and grief that needs to be processed.

What Is a Miscarriage?

Bereavement in obstetrics can be anything from a miscarriage to a stillbirth. Miscarriages are most likely to happen in the first 3 months of pregnancy and usually happen through no fault of the pregnant person. However, they bring a lot of grief and guilt to the mother, who may feel like it is their fault. Miscarriages can happen later in pregnancy. Any loss up until 24 weeks of pregnancy is considered a miscarriage, and anything after that is considered a stillbirth.

Complications With Miscarriage

Miscarriage can be extremely challenging physically, as well as mentally. Miscarriages in the first trimester tend to have fewer complications, though it is possible that complications may arise. Sometimes, miscarriages are incomplete. This means that some tissue does not come away and is left in the womb. When this happens, bleeding and cramping can last longer than the expected amount of time. Although incomplete miscarriages can resolve on their own, occasionally further treatment is required to clear the womb. There is also a higher risk of infection. It is possible to have these kinds of complications with abortion as well.

Abortion Laws

Recently, in Texas, abortion laws became very strict. Abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy are now banned. There is up to a $10,000 reward for people who report illegal abortions. Having an abortion is not an easy choice to make and comes with a lot of guilt. A person may know that they want a child at some point in their life, but at the point in time that they become pregnant, they may be living in difficult circumstances. This can make the decision to have an abortion devastating. For some, contraception fails and they choose abortion because the pregnancy was something that they never wanted to happen. Most people who have abortions feel guilty about their decision, even if it was the right decision for them. Sadly, this law may put a lot of vulnerable people in danger. If someone is desperate for an abortion, they will find a way — and often it will be a higher risk than visiting an abortion clinic.

Bereavement in Obstetrics and Emotional Support

Some might ask if abortion counts as bereavement in obstetrics. I think it’s extremely important that anybody who has experienced a bereavement in obstetrics, including abortion, receive emotional support. I also think it’s important that the benefits of emotional support and possible counselling or therapy be explained to them, as some people might feel that they’re fine as they are. I also think it’s important that there is emotional support provided for both parents. Education on what causes miscarriages that it isn’t always something in your control, and complications of miscarriages could also really help others in the future. I think that regardless of the fact that abortion is a choice, it still can and should be seen as bereavement in obstetrics because there is still a huge amount of emotional and physical change that follows.