Medical Termination of Pregnancy MTP: Types, Examples

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) is the voluntary or intentional termination of pregnancy before full term. It should be carried out by a professional healthcare worker in antiseptic conditions. MTP is regulated by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971, which was amended in 2002.

It is a procedure to end any kind of unwanted pregnancy. This procedure also helps to terminate any fetus which has any kind of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. This procedure is permitted under specific conditions and a time frame. Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) is an important topic in the biology subject.

This Story also Contains

1. What is Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)?
2. Why People Seek MTP?
3. Medical Methods of MTP
4. Legal and Ethical Issues
5. Complications and Risks regarding MTP
6. Post-MTP care
7. MCQs on MTP

What is Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)?

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) refers to the process of ending the pregnancy through the use of medicines or surgery. Birth control must be taken to avoid any kind of unwanted pregnancy among couples. Varieties of methods are described in MTP, which rely on the duration or individual dispensation of the patient.

Why People Seek MTP?

People seek Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) due to unwanted pregnancies, which are characterised by the absence of a menstrual cycle. It can also occur due to contraception failures. It may also be sought in cases of sexual assault or socio-economic challenges.

Reasons Related to Unintended Pregnancy

Bad conditions, such as emotional and financial stress produced by an unintended pregnancy, may push someone to undergo MTP. The end of the unwanted pregnancy is aimed at restoring the usual state.

Danger to Health

MTP may be required whenever the pregnancy poses a threat to the mother's health, for example, if it's associated with severe hypertension or diabetes.

Fetal Abnormalities

Severe genetic dysfunctions, chromosomal abnormalities or fetal disorders are detected during screening. There can be chromosomal mutations associated with the fetus as well, which can be diagnosed by amniocentesis. This causes disappointment due to the effect of forcing people to use MTP to save the child from a lifetime of distress. There can be Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) associated with the foetus as well.

Social-Economic Causes

However, if a person cannot afford and is not mentally prepared to bring up a child, it is likely to add to the physical burden; therefore, MTP may opt out of these causes.

Medical Methods of MTP

Medical MTP involves using medications like mifepristone and misoprostol to induce abortion in early pregnancy. This non-surgical method is generally recommended within the first trimester under medical supervision.

Medication

Medically induced abortion needs one to swallow a mifepristone tablet, then one more of misoprostol to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks of gestation. This method is very successful and allows the individual to complete the management of their process in privacy.

Surgical Methods

Surgical methods may be used in pregnancies above 10 weeks or when medical abortion is impossible to carry out. There exist two common surgical methods;

Suction aspiration: This is a surgical method that provides vacuum aspiration to remove the contents from the uterus.

Dilation and Curettage (D&C): It is the way of opening the cervix of the female reproductive system and letting the surgical instruments gather the tissue.

Legal and Ethical Issues

MTP laws vary by country, focusing on maternal health, fetal viability, and gestational limits. Ethical concerns include debates over the rights of the fetus, women's autonomy, and access to safe procedures.

Legal Issues

The legality of MTP varies across respective countries, and normally it depends on the specific country's law and legislation. Some countries allow MTP for overall and wide reasons, while a few have a strict limit on the gestational period.

Ethical Issues

MTP is always accompanied by discussions with overtones of ethical, moral, and religious considerations. The same has to be balanced well with the right of access to medical termination of pregnancy, within the framework of a legal setting.

Complications and Risks regarding MTP

Possible complications include excessive bleeding, infection, incomplete abortion, or damage to reproductive organs. Serious risks are rare when performed legally and safely under medical guidance.

Physical Complications

MTP is a relatively safe procedure, but potential complications to reproductive health are :

Excessive Bleeding: Some patients may bleed excessively during or soon after the procedure.

Infection: Infection may occur if proper medical protocols and procedures are not adhered to.

Incomplete Abortion: This happens when not all of the pregnancy tissue has been expelled. It usually requires further intervention.

Psychological Complications

MTP can be attributed to a psychological impact on the person, causing him to experience a mixed emotion of relief, guilt, or sadness. A person who undergoes MTP requires counselling and emotional support as part of post-MTP care.

Post-MTP care

Post-MTP care includes monitoring for complications, emotional support, and follow-up checkups. Healthcare providers may also offer contraceptive counselling to prevent future unintended pregnancies.

Follow-up visits

Follow-up care is also necessary to ensure that the procedure was successful and to monitor the complications. A follow-up appointment is usually one or two weeks after the procedure is conducted by the health provider.

Emotional Support

Providing emotional support and counselling, it could eventually assist one in coping with the aftermath of MTP. Support groups and therapy would help an individual ventilate intense feelings and experiences in a safe setting.

MCQs on MTP

Q1. The following statements are given regarding MTP. Choose the correct options given below: -

i. MTPs are generally advised during the first trimester
ii. MTPs are used as a contraceptive method
iii. MTPs are always surgical
iv. MTPs require the assistance of qualified medical personnel

Option 1: ii and iii

Option 2: ii and iii

Option 3: i and iv

Option 4: i and ii

Correct answer: (3) i and iv

Explanation:

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) involves the removal of the fetus from the uterus, typically through curettage, which involves inserting a suitable tool into the uterus to remove the fetal tissue. This procedure does not involve surgery in most cases and is not considered a contraceptive method, as it is performed after conception has occurred. Therefore, the correct options are (i) and (iv), indicating that MTP is not a method of contraception and involves the curettage process.

Hence, the correct answer is option (3) i and iv

Q2. What are the potential risks associated with MTP?

Option 1: Heavy bleeding and infection

Option 2: Fetal malformations in future pregnancies

Option 3: Increased risk of breast cancer

Option 4: None of the above

Correct answer: 1)Heavy bleeding and infection.

Explanation:

Risks of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) include severe bleeding and infection. Like any medical procedure, MTP can have hazards even though it is typically regarded as safe and effective. If unchecked, heavy bleeding that happens during or after the treatment may result in serious problems. Another possible danger is infection, which can happen if the patient does not adhere to post-operation care recommendations or if the tools used during the treatment are not properly sterilised. Before making a choice, it is crucial to examine the possible dangers and advantages of MTP with a healthcare professional.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1)Heavy bleeding and infection.

Q3. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the medical termination of pregnancy?

Option 1: These help in getting rid of unwanted pregnancies.

Option 2: These help in aborting the pregnancies which may be harmful to either the mother or foetus or both.

Option 3: These contribute to decreasing the human population.

Option 4: None of these

Correct answer: 4)None of these.

Explanation:

None of the statements are incorrect regarding medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). MTP is a procedure that can be used to terminate pregnancies that are unwanted or harmful to the mother or fetus.

• Unwanted pregnancies can be ended with the MTP treatment.

• Pregnancies that pose a risk to the mother or fetus can be ended by MTP.

• Legal MTP is permissible in specific circumstances such as when the mother or fetus suffers harm during the pregnancy.

• Additionally, MTP can be applied in rape instances or when a child is born with mental or physical disabilities.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4)None of these.

Also Read:

• Practice MCQs on MTP

• STDs Caused by Bacteria

• STDs caused by Viruses