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A septic abortion is an abortion associated with an infection inside a pregnant woman's uterus. An abortion is the expulsion of fetal contents from a woman's uterus. An abortion may be spontaneous, which is referred to as a miscarriage. It may also be an elective surgical or medical abortion, meaning the woman chose to terminate her pregnancy.
What is going on in the body?
The uterus of a pregnant woman is normally protected by a plug of mucus in the cervix, as well as the membranes surrounding the fetus. A septic abortion can occur when bacteria enter the uterus through the mucus plug. These bacteria can be introduced by unclean tools used during an elective abortion. The bacteria may also be those that normally live in a woman's vagina. If the woman has a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as chlamydia, the bacteria causing the STD can infect the uterus.
The infection can spread through the fetal tissue to the lining of the uterus. It may go into the muscles of the uterus or beyond that to other nearby organs. If the infection reaches the bloodstream, it is called sepsis.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
A septic abortion may be caused by any of the following factors:
_ the membranes surrounding the fetus have ruptured, sometimes without being detected
_ the woman has a sexually transmitted disease, such as chlamydia
_ an intrauterine device (IUD) was left in place during the pregnancy
_ tissue from the fetus or placenta is left inside the uterus after a miscarriage or abortion
_ attempts were made to end the pregnancy, often illegally, by inserting tools, chemicals, or soaps into the uterus What are the treatments for the condition?
Immediate and aggressive treatment in a hospital is necessary to avoid serious complications of septic abortion. The woman should have intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain blood pressure and urine output. IV antibiotics will be given to cover a range of bacteria until the fever is gone. A dilatation and curettage (D & C) may be needed to clean out the uterus if fetal tissue has remained inside it.
A woman with Rh negative blood will be given an injection of Rh immune globulin, unless the father is also known to have Rh negative blood. In cases so severe that abscesses have formed in the ovaries and tubes, it may be necessary to remove the uterus and the infected organs.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Antibiotics may cause rash, upset stomach, or allergic reaction. Surgery can cause bleeding, further infection, or allergic reaction to anesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
Following a septic abortion, a woman may be tired for several weeks. Taking vitamins with iron once a day will help. She should not have intercourse or use tampons until recommended by the healthcare provider.
If another pregnancy is desired, a couple should wait three to six months after treatment is successfully completed to try to conceive. If they are not successful within a year, a test may done to see if the fallopian tubes were damaged by the infection. A woman should be alert to signs of depression. If she does become depressed, counseling or antidepressant medications can help.
How is the condition monitored?
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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