In modern times, pre-marital sex seems to have become a common practice and is no longer a societal issue. It’s prevalent among the youth, who are passionate and curious about intimacy. Because of this, along with a lack of knowledge, cases of unplanned pregnancies are also increasing. Moreover, because this is most common among the youth who are often not yet prepared for the challenges of parenthood, some end up resorting to abortion.
Abortion is a controversial issue, not only in society but also in medicine. In some countries, it is legal and can be done in hospitals, especially if the life of the mother is at risk if the pregnancy continues. However, in the Philippines, it is prohibited by law and is considered a criminal offense like the act of killing someone (murder). Abortion, besides being illegal, is strongly opposed by the church and is also an unacceptable practice in society.
Because abortion is illegal in the country, some attempt to do it through clandestine methods. It may be performed by puncturing the mother’s womb directly or by taking certain abortifacient drugs. These practices, especially without medical guidance, are unsafe and can be harmful to the mother’s health. Here are some of the drugs often used as abortifacients:
Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Cytotec is a drug prescribed to prevent stomach bleeding due to ulcer. On the other hand, it is often used by some as abortifacients. In other countries, it is legally used in hospitals alongside mifepristone to end pregnancies.
Carboprost (Hemabate)
Carboprost is a drug used in some hospitals to completely terminate a pregnancy. It is injected into the flesh and causes contractions in the mother’s uterine muscles, leading to the expulsion of the fetus.
Dinoprotone (Prepidil)
Dinoprotone is prescribed to help dilate a mother’s cervical opening (cervix) during labor before giving birth. Therefore, it is also used by some hospitals to induce labor even before full term. This results in an artificial abortion.
Mifepristone (Mifeprex)
Mifepristone is an abortifacient drug used in the first 49 days of pregnancy. This drug blocks the supply of hormones to the uterus in the early days of the first trimester and as a result, the pregnancy does not continue. It is also sometimes used for certain cases of elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in people with Cushing’s syndrome.
Oxytocin (Pitocin)
Oxytocin is used to assist in the labor of a mother giving birth and to control bleeding after childbirth. It can cause a miscarriage if used without the guidance of a doctor.