Marie Stopes International response to abortion and pregnancy outcomes review

A recent systematic review published in BJOG by Shah and Zao has suggested that previous termination of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. Marie Stopes International makes the following statement:

“The review included data from as far back as 1965, and suggested that infection, mechanical trauma to the cervix and scar tissue caused by surgical abortion were suspected reasons for low birth weight and preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. However, using modern techniques, abortion is one of the safest procedures known to medical science and complications including the risk of infection, cervical trauma or scar tissue, are extremely rare.

"For example, medical abortion (the abortion pill) eliminates the need for a surgical procedure altogether, and the manual vacuum aspiration technique pioneered by MSI in the UK since 1997 is more gentle and less invasive than the methods which may have been used in the studies analysed. In addition, approximately 90% of abortions performed in the UK are carried out at less than 13 weeks gestation, requiring less invasive procedures than later-term abortions. Given the significant developments that have been made in the provision of abortion services, the results of the review may not be an accurate reflection of today’s practice.

"The review authors themselves acknowledge that many other contributing factors, including socioeconomic and environmental factors, were not considered in the results of many of the 37 studies reviewed, and caution against ‘causal interpretation of the results’.

"Medical developments occur all the time, and Marie Stopes International welcomes any studies that could lead to improved abortion techniques or guidelines. However, approximately one in three women has an abortion in her lifetime and it is vital that today’s study results are not considered in isolation – the psychological and social consequences of continuing with an unintended pregnancy should also be considered.”

Categories: United Kingdom; Europe; Abortion

16/09/2009

Marie Stopes International response to abortion and pregnancy outcomes review

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