Safety First: Ensuring a Safe Abortion Experience

Abortions, when done correctly, are incredibly safe. In fact, an abortion is safer than many common medical procedures, including wisdom teeth removal. Additionally, abortion pills are safer than common medications like Tylenol and penicillin. As a result, serious complications during safe abortions are rare (1).

Unfortunately, not all abortions are done safely. Roughly 25 million unsafe abortions occur every year, with as many as 97 percent of them occurring in developing countries (2). Unlike safe abortions, unsafe abortions can lead to serious and life-threatening complications and have a high maternal mortality rate.

There is a wealth of misinformation out there on abortion, causing many people to seek out unsafe abortions as a result. Thus, the first step to getting a safe abortion is finding reliable information from trusted sources. This article will describe safe abortions and provide tips for seeking out credible, evidence-based abortion resources.

What defines a safe abortion?

An abortion is considered safe when it follows the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. This means it is conducted at the right time during pregnancy and with the right medication or procedure. Safe abortions can be done via an outpatient procedure or with medications (Mifepristone and Misoprostol). With safe abortions, serious complications happen in less than one percent of cases (1).

Unsafe abortions tend to happen when there are legal or social implications associated with getting an abortion. In these instances, people may not have access to safe abortion practices, qualified and trusted health-care personnel, or abortion pills. As a result, individuals may turn to methods involving taking harmful substances (e.g., chlorine or bleach), inserting sharp objects into the uterus, applying force to the abdomen, or incorrect use of medication (2). These methods are incredibly dangerous and can lead to long-term complications.

Understanding misinformation about abortions

So, you want to have a safe abortion, but where do you get the information to start the process? Unfortunately, because of the varying legal, societal, and cultural implications of abortion, there is a lot of misinformation out there. Misinformation refers to information that isn’t true or backed by science and research.

Misinformation can manifest as:

• medical myths. There are a lot of unsubstantiated claims regarding the safety and risks of abortion procedures. These will often overstate or inflate the expected risk of abortions. There are also many falsehoods that abortion is linked to things like cancer, infertility, or psychological problems, none of which are true.
• legal misinformation. This type of misinformation will provide incorrect information about the legality of abortion in different regions. It is meant to confuse patients, discouraging them from accessing services because of the fear of legal consequences.
• social misconceptions. Much information that is out there will promote stigmatizing narratives aimed at fostering guilt and shame surrounding abortion. These are typically influenced by biased political and religious groups.

This misinformation can come from several sources, including unreliable websites, social media, politically motivated campaigns, or general word of mouth.

Minors should be extra careful about misinformation because they lack education and thus are more likely to be victims of scams and medical myths. Additionally, economic restrictions may also lead someone to make an unsafe choice or become a victim of a scam.

How do I find reliable information regarding safe abortions?

With all the misinformation and noise out there, it is essential to seek out accurate and evidence-based information when it comes to abortion. You can do this by seeking out credible sources, consulting with health-care professionals, or leveraging safe2choose’s resources which include:

• FAQs about abortion,
• Abortion laws in various countries,
• How to use abortion pills, and
• Scam list to prevent fake providers.

Credible sources

When looking for abortion information online, make sure to only utilize reputable websites. Reputable websites are those that use science-backed research to make recommendations. Examples of credible sources include WHO and Planned Parenthood.

If you’re ever unsure about the accuracy of the information, do an audit on the author and website itself. Check the author and organization’s credentials, expertise, and affiliations. Political and religious affiliations are typically a red flag. On the contrary, a trusted website like safe2choose will provide information regarding its medical board, which consists of licensed and practicing doctors.

Consulting health-care professionals

When in doubt, consulting a licensed and trusted health-care professional is the gold standard for getting medical advice. When choosing a provider, make sure to validate that they have a medical license and consider what professional organizations they’re associated with, what certifications they have, and their experience.

safe2choose

safe2choose is one of several examples of reliable online resources. safe2choose provides abortion information by country, abortion resources, abortion stories, and podcasts, all with evidence-based and trustworthy information.

In addition, safe2choose offers safe abortion counseling support for those seeking an abortion. These consults are safe, confidential, convenient, and judgment-free, providing the most recent and up-to-date information on safe abortions. If you ever have any questions about abortions or things you’ve heard about abortions, we are here to help.

Conclusion

In summary, safe abortions are essential to ensuring your health and wellness before, during, and after an abortion. However, the surplus of misinformation out there about abortions can complicate access, treatment, and emotions surrounding the abortion process.

Thus, it is important to only seek out reliable and evidence-based information, be it from validated websites or a trusted health-care provider. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about abortion, safe2choose and its abortion counselors are here to help.