CervicalCheck changes spell danger for women's health

The National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) has recently announced changes to the CervicalCheck screening programme.

The CervicalCheck programme was launched in September 2008 which involved the creation of a nationwide screening test which assessed a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer.

All a woman had to do was to attend her General Practitioner who would carry out the simple test for free there and then.If the test found abnormalities another simple procedure could be carried out, if necessary, on a later date by a gynaecologist which would essentially prevent the progression to cervical cancer.

The programme has the potential to reduce rates of cervical cancer by 80% if 4 in every 5 women were to avail of the test.

However, the recent changes announced mean that screening will shift from being open access to an organised call, re-call method of invitation to begin in September 2009.

This means that women who have not availed of the screening programme yet will need to register if they wish to do so in the future. In a letter to GPs the NCSP said that this will mean that even after going through the trouble of registering, women will have to wait 6 months before receiving a letter of invitation allowing them to avail of the test.

News Source : CervicalCheck changes spell danger for women's health

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Procedures of abortion.

Doctors use various means and ways to conclude a pregnancy. Normally abortion is persuaded using a chemical or surgical practice. The abortion procedure which is chosen by the doctor or an individual is preferred directly correlated to the phase of pregnancy whether it is in early weeks or in the first stage that is term of 3 months, or second stage.

The abortion via chemical practice is merely by means of giving pregnancy termination drugs or medicine to the patient concerned. Most of the mother-to-be is more inclined towards this type abortion method rather than the surgical technique. Such drugs or chemicals which are prescribed to an individual are generally called as abortion pills. The RU-486, mifepristone normally are used to set a halt to the action of the body's progesterone. As a consequence, the embryo splits from the uterus and bleeding takes place. Once the bleeding starts, its recommend by the physicians to take a dose of misoprostol which contains uterine contractions, thus ejecting the unborn foetus. In spite of effective and very safe technique this type of abortion procedure can be espoused only within the first two months of pregnancy. In some exceptional cases, the patient may be required to end the treatment with a surgical method.

During the first three months of the pregnancy with the help of surgical techniques termination of pregnancy can be done by three different methods of abortion .First method is after the cervix is expanded, the embryo is worn out off the ramparts of the uterus with the help of a sharp surgical instrument. This abortion practice is known as Dilation or Curettage. Second method of surgical abortion technique is Manual Vacuum Aspiration where after expanding the cervix, the doctor takes away the embryonic tissue using a syringe with the assistance of suction. Lastly the method is as alike to the second method and is known as Electric Vacuum Aspiration. In this the syringe is substituted with an electric pump.

During the second trimester that is duration from third month to sixth month of pregnancy there are again three choices offered for termination of pregnancy. First procedure of abortion is Dilation and Evacuation. In this procedure after expanded the cervix, the uterine walls are worn out with instruments. Whereas finally, the embryonic tissue is separated with the assistance of suction. The Second method is Hysterectomy or surgical slit of the uterus which is very much alike to caesarean operation, where the terminated foetus is separate. The last abortion procedure is known as Partial Birth Abortion which is still in today’s society comes under some arguments. The cervix is expanded, and then a forceps is required to reverse the foetus into a breech situation. After which suction device is inserted into the foetus' skull after a cut is made at its base. This device abandons the brain tissues which are present inside.

Although there is one more technique of abortion, which was very accepted till the time anaesthetics and surgery were imaginary, it is neither promoted by law nor accepted by the medical fraternity division. This is the herbal procedure of abortion and is normally measured as unsafe. So perhaps it would be wiser to excuse yourself from it altogether.

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The Abortion Pills

It's the day after and you didn't take any precautions last night. A month passes and you realize that this is it. You're pregnant. Can the abortion pill be an option?

Medical Abortion

In this method, a pill is taken to induce abortion. The medicine mifepristone, known as RU486 in the US, was introduced in France almost a decade ago, and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) finally approved the "abortion pill" on 28th September, 2000 in the United States, after a decade of controversy.

Who can take the abortion pill ?

You may choose medical abortion if you are less than 49 days pregnant. If you have serious heart, liver, kidney problems, blood clotting disorders or HIV, you may not be able to take the medication.

How to take the pill ?

RU-486 can be taken at home or at a clinic. It opens the cervix, causes mild contractions, softens the uterus and causes it to dilate to help expel the embryo. Side effects like nausea, headache and weakness, and bleeding and deep cramps take place after the second, prostaglandin pill, is taken, a couple of days later. The embryo is expelled 4 to 24 hours later.

Side effects are normal, but you need to call your gynaec if you:

• Soak more than two pads an hour, more than two hours in a row
• Bleed heavily for more than 12 hours in a row
• Pass clots larger than lemons for two hours or more
• Run a temperature over 101.4° F for more than four hours
• Feel strong nausea or throw up for more than four hours
• Have an allergic reaction to the medicine

After studies were undertaken in developing nations like India, China and Cuba, which have legalized abortions, it was found that medical abortion was preferred to surgical abortion. The only complaint against medical abortion were the side effects and heavy bleeding.

Follow Up

You need to return a couple of days later to make sure the abortion is complete. The whole process may take about a week to 14 days, depending on the medication. If you are still pregnant after the medical abortion, you could take more medicine or may have to undergo a surgical abortion. Avoid alcohol, aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers during this period.

Is an Abortion Painful?

You'll be distinctly uncomfortable after a surgical abortion and may experience some cramping but it should not be very painful. A half an hour's rest in the recovery room and a painkiller should suffice. A medical abortion is more painful, but is preferred as it means avoiding a surgery. It's important you take care of yourself after an abortion, and report any feelings of discomfort and pain to your doctor.

Does the fetus feel pain?

At some stage during the pregnancy the fetus becomes capable of feeling pain but when exactly this happens is not known. It's a safe bet that the fetus may not feel pain before 10 to 12 weeks.

Risks

Incomplete Abortion occurs if part of the pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after the abortion procedure. Symptoms include lack of post abortion bleeding and severe cramping. Infection can be caused by the retention of tissue in the uterus.

Hemorrhage or Excessive Bleeding can be caused by injury to the uterus during the abortion. Bleeding through more than one sanitary pad per hour indicates excessive bleeding.

Perforation or Injury to Uterus/Cervix occurs if an instrument used during the procedure injures the uterus or cervix. Injuries to the uterus heal by themselves but there is the risk of injuring other organs when perforation occurs.

Future Fertility can be adversely effected if complications such as injury to the cervix or fallopian tube arise during abortion. But if there are no complications, even several abortions have no effect on future fertility.

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