Short-Term Physical and Psychological Health Consequences of Induced and Spontaneous Abortion: A Cross-sectional Study
Open Access
- 17 August 2021
- journal article
- Published by Briefland in Shiraz E-Medical Journal
- Vol. 22 (12)
- https://doi.org/10.5812/semj.111809
Abstract
Background: Abortion is an important pregnancy complication with short-term and long-term adverse physical and psychological effects on women. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the short-term physical and psychological effects of various types of medical abortion in pregnant women referring to educational and medical centers in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, among 5176 deliveries by the women referring to Shiraz Educational and Forensic Medicine Centers during a 4-month period, 437 pregnancies ended in abortion and thus were included in this study. A questionnaire was completed for each of the abortions, recording demographic characteristics and midwifery information. As well, the Mississippi Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale (M‑PTSD) was filled. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The most common physical complications of induced and spontaneous abortion were fever (10.3%) and the need for transfusion of blood products (4.6%). Among the patients who received abortion therapy, 73.1% had moderate stress due to psychological complications. Conclusions: Since the most common complications after abortion are fever, the need for blood transfusion, and bleeding, it is recommended to prepare a protocol to standardize post-abortion care. Most women in both induced and spontaneous abortion groups had moderate levels of stress. Due to the lack of attention to the mental health of the women experiencing abortion, it is necessary for these women to receive adequate supportive counseling, in addition to other medical services, after abortion.Keywords
This publication has 37 references indexed in Scilit:
- Grief Intensity, Psychological Well‐Being, and the Intimate Partner Relationship in the Subsequent Pregnancy after a Perinatal LossJournal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 2015
- Er det mulig å få pålitelig kunnskap om psykiske senvirkninger etter provosert abort?Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening, 2012
- Unintended Pregnancy and Taxpayer SpendingPerspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2011
- Patterns and Predictors of Vaginal Bleeding in the First Trimester of PregnancyAnnals of Epidemiology, 2010
- Previous experience of spontaneous or elective abortion and risk for posttraumatic stress and depression during subsequent pregnancyDepression and Anxiety, 2010
- Maternal and perinatal outcome in women with threatened miscarriage in the first trimester: a systematic reviewBJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2010
- The frequency and clinical significance of intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation in women with placenta previa and vaginal bleeding: an unexpected observationjpme, 2010
- Religious Beliefs Affect Grieving After Pregnancy LossJournal of Religion and Health, 2009
- Effectiveness of a Counseling Intervention after a Traumatic Childbirth: A Randomized Controlled TrialBirth, 2005
- Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Three studies in reliability and validity.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1988