At-Home Remedies for Abortion: Safety, Risks & Alternates

There are several home remedies for abortion. It includes vitamins, herbs, and medications. Some reports claim that an overdose of aspirin, sesame seeds, parsley water with lemon, or pineapple juice are effective ways to terminate a pregnancy naturally.

However, a self-induced abortion without medical supervision can be physically risky for a woman. Not only this, but it is also illegal to use these natural abortion methods.

Doctors do not recommend pursuing these methods for terminating a pregnancy, as they can result in incomplete abortion accompanied by heavy bleeding and pain. It is advisable to consult your doctor and opt for a safe and appropriate termination procedure instead of following these methods.

A few home remedies for abortion might help induce an abortion. However, one must be careful while trying any abortion home remedies mentioned below as they may have an adverse reaction.

Natural Remedies for Abortion Using Food Items

1. Unripe Papaya: It is sometimes used as a home remedy for abortion in some countries. Consuming large amounts of it may cause contractions in the uterus due to the presence of latex.
   
   It can potentially lead to miscarriage or abortion.
2. Parsley: Using oil from parsley leaves or seeds can cause miscarriage. It contains high levels of parsley apiole and myristicin.
   They are toxic in large doses and lead to natural abortion due to uterine contractions.
3. Pineapple: Few people consider pineapple as one of the natural ways to abort a child. Studies have revealed that pineapple contains bromelain, a chemical that softens the tissues of the uterus. 
4. Fenugreek Seeds: This is one of the prevalent spices used in several dishes in India to enhance flavour and aroma. It contains saponin, a chemical which works similarly to the oxytocin hormone.
   
   A large amount of oxytocin can induce natural abortion by initiating uterine contraction.
5. Bitter Gourd (Karela): It is used in India for several potential health benefits. Some people believe this to be one of the natural ways to terminate pregnancy if consumed excessively.
6. Sesame Seeds: Overconsumption of sesame seeds can be harmful in the first trimester. It contains compounds called lignans, which have weak estrogen-like effects on the body.
   
   It has been suggested that high levels of lignans may interfere with the hormonal balance in pregnant women and potentially lead to complications in pregnancy.
7. Eggplant: It is believed that eggplant has heat-producing properties in Ayurvedic medicine. Phytohormones present in brinjal can cause miscarriage. 
8. Aloe Vera: There is limited scientific evidence on the effects of aloe vera during pregnancy. Some studies suggest that consuming aloe vera may potentially lead to miscarriage. More research is needed to confirm these claims.
9. Cheese: Some types of cheese, such as camembert, brie, chevre, gorgonzola, and Danish blue, are made with a mould, i.e. fungus. It may contain listeria (a bacteria) that may lead to abortion.
10. Caffeine: High levels of caffeine intake during pregnancy have been associated with a higher risk of miscarriage and other complications, such as low birth weight and preterm labour.
    
    It is a stimulant that can cross the placenta and affect the developing foetus. 

Herbs for Abortion at Home

Herbal abortion using herbs can cause bleeding and uterine contractions. It is a self-induced abortion method that needs large quantities of specific herbs. Most of these herbs are infused as tea and consumed. These herbs include:

1. Pennyroyal:  The uterine lining can contract due to chemicals in the pennyroyal plant. Pennyroyal tea can trigger early menstruation.
2. Mugwort: It is a herb traditionally used to stimulate menstruation and may cause uterine contractions. There is limited scientific evidence on the safety of mugwort during pregnancy.
   
   It is generally recommended to avoid its use to prevent potential complications, including miscarriage.
3. Black Cohosh Root: It is consumed as a tea to induce early labour in the first trimester. This root is popularly known as a herbal oestrogen. 
4. Tansy: A toxic substance, thujone, is present in this herb. However, it can also be toxic and potentially harmful, leading to miscarriage.
5. Goldenseal: According to research, the vital ingredient in goldenseal has been related to lower weight in mothers and infants. It may contract the uterus, which can cause natural abortion.
6. Coleus: It has been reported that consuming coleus can cause natural abortion. It interferes with embryo implantation and causes vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy.
7. Eucalyptus: Essential oil containing eucalyptus has been linked to causing a natural abortion in early pregnancy as it is high in ketones.
8. Yarrow: It is probably risky for pregnant women. This might result in miscarriage due to the compound that contracts the uterus.
9. Safflower: Consuming safflower can promote early menstruation. It contains compounds that may thin the blood to prevent clots. Abortion may occur spontaneously.

Women who use these herbs during pregnancy can risk poisoning, resulting in kidney and liver damage, tissue damage, internal bleeding, and even death.

They are frequently ineffective, and individuals might not realise this until it is too late for an abortion in a clinic. Herbs might be hazardous when used to end a pregnancy. For instance, liver failure might result from taking too much pennyroyal and mugwort.

Read also: गर्भपात के आसान घरेलु उपाय

Not only food but lifestyle can also contribute to abortion naturally. For example:

High-intensity sports: Physical activities are considered good, but some sports can cause miscarriage. Sports that involve too much jumping or bouncing or that make you work very hard may induce abortion naturally.

Disclaimer: You must meet your doctor and discuss abortion. Depending on your situation, your doctor will suggest appropriate methods.

However, using these home remedies for abortion without a doctor’s advice may lead to complications. Therefore, never self-medicate and always talk to an expert.

Women also use forceful methods to terminate a pregnancy. These methods not only induce early abortion but are risky and can be dangerous. It can also cause complications in future pregnancies. 

1. Over-the-Counter Medication: Although aspirin is typically used to treat pain, it also initiates the menstrual cycle. Women consume 4 to 10 aspirin tablets with water to induce an abortion.
   Overdose on these medications can harm the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Alcohol and Narcotic Drugs: Often, women consume alcohol and other drugs to abort the baby. Other home remedies for abortion include consuming alcohol and drugs in large quantities.
   The side effects of overconsumption are spontaneous miscarriage.
3. Physical Force: Punching vigorously in the stomach can cause an abortion. This method must never be used, and one must always consult a doctor to terminate a pregnancy safely.

Safety: Natural abortion is never safe, whether it involves herbs, supplements, self-injury or drugs. They can cause more harm than good. It can cause innumerable side effects and can also cause problems in future pregnancies.

These home remedies for abortion must be avoided as there is no guarantee that they can terminate the foetus completely.

Effectiveness: The natural remedies for abortion are not effective. According to the WHO, around 4.7 to 13.2% of women die yearly because of unsafe abortion methods.

Additionally, about 7 million women develop complications like toxicity due to overconsumption and severe infection due to incomplete abortion. It can prevent these mishaps by spreading awareness regarding sex education, accessing safe abortion, and family planning.

Therefore, It is always advisable to talk to your gynaecologist before self-medicating or using any of these natural abortion methods

Dr Arti Sharma strongly advises against using abortion home remedies, as it poses several risks that can harm a woman's health. Some of the complications are:

1. Incomplete Abortion: An incomplete abortion is an abortion where the pregnancy is over, but some foetal tissue is still present in the womb/uterus of the woman. It can be fatal for the woman as it can cause heavy bleeding and infection.
2. Haemorrhage: When self-induced abortion is performed, it can have significant blood loss. It can be life-threatening if not treated in time. 
3. Toxicity: Overconsumption of any food item that induces abortion naturally can cause toxicity resulting in liver damage or organ failure.

According to Dr Arti Sharma, it is advised to seek safe and legal methods for terminating a pregnancy, as they ensure the well-being of the individual.

Instead of opting for natural remedies for abortion, women can go for medical or surgical abortion based on their gestational age.

1. Medical Termination of Pregnancy: This method of abortion is a safer alternative to home remedies. It is advised when the pregnancy is less than 9 weeks.
   
   It has a success rate of up to 99 percent. The doctor will prescribe two medicines (Mifepristone and Misoprostol), which would cause hormonal changes resulting in abortion. 
2. Surgical Abortion: This method of abortion is recommended for women up to 24 weeks pregnant. The doctor performs a surgical abortion and removes the developing baby using dilatation and curettage (D&C).
   
   It is typically used if medical abortion fails or if pregnancy is advanced. 

Using these methods for termination is not advised by doctors, as they can result in incomplete abortion, excessive bleeding, and pain. Seek guidance from a doctor for appropriate termination options and avoid following these unsafe methods.

These might include a medical abortion or a surgical abortion carried out by a licenced medical practitioner. If you have any queries regarding these home remedies for abortion, you can freely contact our care assistant team at HexaHealth. They will solve all your worries.

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