Let go of the sad memories of the joy of new birth. Undoubtedly, abortion or a miscarriage is a very distressing experience. The immense guilt, hopelessness, and the pain of a negative relationship all take their toll. You naturally feel as if you killed a part of your being. However, life is as much as about deaths, as it is rising from the ashes like a Phoenix. Many women who have abortions hope to have children at a later time. Since having an abortion is just about the literal opposite of having a baby, it’s natural to wonder if a past procedure will have an impact on future fertility.

Doctors say that there’s no evidence that either a surgical or medical abortion will cause infertility.

Will a Past Abortion Affect My Pregnancy?

Let me tell you that there are two types of abortions:

1. Medical abortion– medicines are prescribed to abort the fetus, and swallowing medication should have no effect on future pregnancies.
2. Surgical abortion- It can be done in many ways but always involves an instrument being inserted into the cervix. In rare circumstances, abortion can cause damage to the cervix or uterus in the process.

Any procedure where an instrument is inserted inside the uterus can potentially cause scarring in these areas, especially when it is done multiple times. In “very uncommon ” cases where this becomes a problem, surgical removal of the scar tissue can usually solve the problem and restore fertility.

Occasionally, though, if the termination was not straightforward, it may affect your fertility.  There is also a high level of unsafe abortions in our country which pose serious health risks to women. Abortions performed illegally, by unskilled doctors in unhygienic conditions may cause complications in future.

Generally, elective abortions don’t cause any fertility issues or complications in future pregnancies. However, some studies suggest a possible link between pregnancy termination and an increased risk of:

• Premature birth: birth that occurs before the start of 37^th week of pregnancy. Premature babies, especially those born very early, often have complicated medical problems. Typically, complications of prematurity vary. But the earlier your baby is born, the higher the risk of complications.
• Low birth weight: It is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 2,500 grams.

An incomplete termination (retained products of conception) can increase the risk of infection. An infection setting in after the procedure, such as pelvic inflammatory disease(PID), can cause a problem. If it’s not treated early, PID can lead to blockages in and around the fallopian tubes and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy(a pregnancy in which fetus develops outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube). And there may be scarring at the top of your cervix or inside your uterus. Scarring can affect your periods, if you have no periods or light periods then, see your doctor he will guide you accordingly.

But even if that’s not the case for you, you should know that any procedure that dilates the cervix (a necessary step during many abortions) can weaken it. So if you’ve had more than one abortion and get pregnant again, later on, you may find that you have what’s known as cervical weakness; a weakened cervix that may start dilating prematurely. This can sometimes be treated with a stitch, to keep the cervix closed. There’s one more point to be noticed here, if a woman had multiple abortions, it can result in a higher risk that the placenta will implant abnormally in future pregnancies.

Even so, it’s very unlikely that there has been any damage to your uterus. When done in a safe setting by a qualified practitioner, an abortion should not change your ability to get pregnant again later or in life. Most couples who are having frequent, unprotected sex will get pregnant within a year. If you’ve been trying for a year without success (or six months if you’re over 35), see your doctor.

Deciding whether to terminate a pregnancy is a big and serious decision and anyone considering one should talk to their provider about their concerns. But women can rest easy when it comes to fears about their fertility and having an abortion. As long as abortion remains legal and safe going forward, a woman’s future fertility will most likely not be affected whatsoever. Unsafe, illegal abortion can lead to permanent damage, so it’s crucial to make sure that your doctor is a trained professional before undergoing this or any other procedure involving your reproductive organs to ensure a healthy reproductive future.