Termination of pregnancy enhances chances of premature delivery

Lead researcher of the study, Dr Robbert van Oppenraaij of Erasmus University in Rotterdam said, "It can be concluded that a history of abortion is associated with an increased risk for premature delivery and very premature delivery."

Study show risk of membrane rupture surrounding baby
The study analyzed both abortions and miscarriages. The latter, too, doubled the risk of pre-term rupture of the membrane that surrounds the baby in the womb. This rupture is known to increase the chances of an early birth.

Oppenraaij cautioned that more research was needed as the revelations of the present study did not establish a conclusive link between abortions and pre-term delivery.

The doctor suggested that the termination of pregnancy by way of abortion or miscarriage may harm the womb or create infection and lead to a premature delivery subsequently.

Josephine Quintavalle, of the campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, supported the findings in Toto, “There's a logic. The body is protecting a healthy baby. By producing a abortion, you destroy that protection and make the cervix - the neck of the womb - more vulnerable.”

“And if you make the cervix more vulnerable, you are more at risk of a premature baby. You don't need a degree in biology to understand that,” Quintavalle added.

Improved monitoring
The findings of the study will enable doctors to spot women with maximum risk who may need utmost care and monitoring in the months leading up to childbirth.

Dr. Oppenraaij noted, “While it is true that most conditions are difficult to prevent, with improved monitoring in high-risk pregnancies it is possible to reduce perinatal or postnatal foetal complications."

The findings of the study were presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Amsterdam.