|
流產 |
|
流產方法
|
 |
|
美國的流產
在美國，約25%的妊娠由選擇性流產所終止(1.4百萬/年)
Abortion in the USA
In the U.S., ca. 25% of all pregnancies are terminated by elective abortion
(1.4 million per year).
|
|
|
在懷孕期間，流產實施得早與晚有著很大的差別。越早實施就越好。鑒於此，某些懷疑自己懷了孕而又不想等到確診的婦女會需求一種叫月經調整術或月經萃取術的過程。誠然，如果她們真的懷了孕（又不想生育），惟有如此，別無他途。
在證實妊娠的情況下，只有在妊娠的前12周內施行流產才是相對安全和相對簡單的。孕期越是迫近12周，流產通常就越不能耽擱。前8周內，人們說到的流產，排出的是胚胎；8周以後，排出的則是胎兒，並且可能待解決的症狀相應地增加。無論如何，12周之後，出現併發症的風險較大，流產的技術難度更大，而且常常需要至少住院數日。自然而然，晚期流產也花費更多。20周後，即使在流產合法的地方，自願流產通常從醫學角度認為是不合理的，除非在非同尋常的病例才不得已而為之。到了這個時候，胎兒已經發育到實際上能夠以早產存活下來的地步。由於各種各樣的原因，大多數醫生會拒絕在這樣的晚期進行流產。其實，這類晚期流產在30或20年前不可謂不普遍，但是如今變得罕見了。
無論如何，接受專家的諮詢，對於打算流產的任何一個婦女都是至關重要的，諮詢涉及諸如心理、倫理和醫學問題。如果決定做流產了，就應該只能找有資質能力的婦產科醫生（在中國大陸，則只能去縣級以上的醫院或有資格的公立與私立醫院施行流產——譯者注）。 |
|
Abortion |
|
Abortion Methods
|
It makes a great difference whether an abortion is performed early or late in the pregnancy. The earlier it is done, the better. For this reason, some women who suspect they may be pregnant but do not want to wait for confirmation ask for a procedure called menstrual regulation or menstrual extraction. Of course, this would be an abortion only if they are indeed pregnant.
In the case of a confirmed pregnancy
an abortion is a relatively safe and simple procedure only within the first 12 weeks. Up to that time, it usually does not require an overnight stay in the hospital. In the first 8 weeks, one speaks of aborting an embryo, after that time one speaks of a fetus, and possible problems increase accordingly. In any case, after the 12th week, there is a greater risk of complications, more difficult techniques have to be used, and hospitalization for at least a few days is often necessary. Naturally, a late abortion is also more expensive. After the 20th week, a voluntary abortion, even where it is legal, is usually considered medically indefensible except in the most extraordinary cases. By this time, the fetus has developed to a point where it could actually survive a premature birth. At the same time, there are considerable risks for the mother. For this and other reasons, most doctors will refuse to perform an abortion at this late stage. Indeed, late abortions of this kind - which were not uncommon 30 or even 20 years ago - have become very rare today.
In any case, it is vitally important for any woman considering an abortion to receive expert counselling about all psychological, ethical and medical issues involved. If she decides to have an abortion, she should entrust herself only to a fully qualified physician.
|
