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Some women with problems following an abortion go for medical help, but
are afraid or ashamed to tell what really happened. Others may be too afraid or
embarrassed even to seek medical help, especially if the abortion was secret or
illegal. They may wait until they are very sick. This delay could be fatal. Heavy
bleeding (more than with a normal period) or infection following an abortion is
dangerous. Get medical help right away! Meanwhile, do the following:
♦ Try to control bleeding. Follow instructions on p. 281 for bleeding after
miscarriage. Give ergonovine (see p. 390).
♦ Treat for shock (see p. 77).
♦ If there are signs of infection, give antibiotics as for Childbirth Fever
(see p. 276).
To prevent illness and death from abortion:
♦ Give antibiotics (ampicillin, p. 352, or tetracycline, p. 355) after any abortion,
whether done at home or in a health center. This reduces the risk of infections
and dangerous complications.
♦ Prevent unwanted pregnancy. Birth control methods should be available to
both women and men (see Chapter 20).
♦ Work to make your community a kinder, better place, especially for women
and children. When society guarantees that everyone’s needs are met, fewer
women will need to seek abortions.
♦ Abortions done under clean and safe conditions by trained health workers
should be available to women free or at low cost. That way women will not
need to have dangerous, illegal abortions.
♦ A woman who has any signs of problems after an abortion—whether done at
home or in the hospital—should get medical care immediately. To encourage
this, doctors and health workers should never make a woman who has had
an abortion feel ashamed.
For more information about how to care for a woman after an abortion, see
A Book for Midwives.