45% of Abortions Are Unsafe According to the World Health Organization

Although abortion is considered to be a very safe procedure in the UK and other developed countries, according to recent findings by the World Health Organisation (WHO), 45% of abortions worldwide are unsafe. This is an alarming statistic because the majority of the risks associated with abortion are preventable with proper care. So why are these statistics so high? What factors contribute to unsafe abortion? Can it be avoided? Let's take a deep dive and get answers to these important questions.

Why do unsafe abortions occur?

In the 2024 fact sheet published by WHO, it is stated that 61% of all unwanted pregnancies end up in an abortion. This makes pregnancy termination an essential healthcare service, one that should be accessible to all women. Sadly, facilities for safe abortion services across the world are not created equal. Doctors Without Borders, a global team that delivers emergency medical care to people in crisis, states that 97% of all unsafe abortions happen in developing countries, and 7 million girls and women are either disabled or injured every single year as a result of unsafe abortions.

WHO defines unsafe abortion as a procedure carried out by people lacking the necessary skills or in an environment lacking minimal medical standards, but there are also concerns in more developed countries.

For example, access to abortion can play a pivotal role in contributing to the overall safety and health of women. In areas where abortion is not legal, for example, in certain states in the U.S., and is considered a criminal offence, many women will find themselves seeking alternative routes to terminate pregnancies, despite safety risks. This might mean travelling long distances or seeking abortion pills from underground sources. This can be incredibly dangerous, as proper medical assessment and aftercare are not provided, potentially leading to complications such as heavy bleeding, severe infections, and even incomplete abortion. And as a result, women may be less likely to come forward for fear of being prosecuted, leading to severe consequences and even death in some cases.

Social stigma is another concern when it comes to abortions in developed countries. Thankfully, in the UK, the vast majority of people support choice and abortion services. However, in many parts of the world, social stigma is still a huge factor when it comes to unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. Cultural practices and moral values often factor into the decision-making of women seeking abortion. An independent study in the Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters journal on stigma and abortion supported this narrative and explored how women had reported feelings of self-judgement, disrespect, and of committing a sin when trying to terminate their pregnancy. As a result, they may seek alternative methods for completing the termination, either trying to do so themselves or seeking underground abortion pills or surgeries, which can be dangerous.

The question that arises now: How can unsafe abortions be avoided?

Accessing Abortion Care Safely in the UK

While there are some risks associated with abortion procedures, as with any medical procedure, it is important to note that these risks are small, and the majority are preventable and can be avoided with the correct care. Thankfully, abortion—particularly medical abortion—is considered to be a very safe procedure when carried out through a regulated clinic or healthcare provider. However, there are still some steps you can take to protect your well-being further.

For starters, educating yourself about the abortion process and ensuring you have a good knowledge of the aftercare involved can help you make informed decisions. Knowing about this can also help you emotionally prepare for the procedure. A consultation with your chosen clinic can also be helpful in putting your mind at ease.

When it comes to accessing abortion care in the UK, here is some advice to help make the process of choosing a clinic easier:

• Firstly, take a look at the clinic reviews to see what other people have said about their experience.
• An important step not to be overlooked is to verify if the clinic is regulated by the Government to carry out abortions. This can be done by cross-referencing the clinic licence number and other accreditation numbers with the respective authorities—which can provide you with confidence.
• It may sound surprisingly straightforward, but phone the clinic to have a chat with their team—they should be happy to spare some time to go through any concerns you have, and this can be a helpful indication of how they deal with patients and whether you feel comfortable.
• Research the team at your choice of clinic, checking they are experienced and that you feel confident in their capabilities.
• Is the clinic within easy reach of your home if you need to travel to the clinic?
• What are the aftercare services like? Do they have a contact number that can be called at any time for advice? What happens in case of an emergency? Can they provide you with clear instructions?
• How long is the waiting list? Are next-day appointments available? This can be an important consideration for a procedure that is incredibly time-sensitive.
• What types of abortion services does the clinic provide? Abortion pill by post? Medical abortion in the clinic? Surgical abortion? How many weeks pregnant you are may influence your choice in the clinic.

We hope that these points will provide you with some food for thought and can help to make the challenging process more manageable.

Your Abortion, Your Choice

Abortion should be classed as an essential healthcare service around the world, but its access remains questionable. It's clear that much work needs to be done by the leaders in countries around the globe in developing countries to change the landscape around abortion care and to support women with unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. Making abortion even safer in developed countries is also important. Leaders should be taking steps to decriminalise abortion, making sure women have easier access to safe and regulated clinics, and improving the social stigma around pregnancy termination.