Situ KC’s dissertation is the most extensive study to date on the possible effects of abortion on future births as regards the method, number, and gestational age at the induced termination of pregnancy. In this study, all first-time mothers with a singleton birth in the period of 1996–2013 (n= 419,87) were included using the linked dataset of the Finnish Medical Birth Register and Finnish Register on Induced Abortions. To investigate factors affecting the likelihood of repeat terminations of pregnancy, the study used data that included all women who had had an abortion in 1987–2015 (n=193,741) from the Finnish Register on Induced Abortions.
A higher risk for preterm birth and low birth weight were found among mothers who had had a surgical termination of pregnancy compared to mothers with a prior medical abortion. When analysed by the gestational age (timing) at the termination of pregnancy, women having a late abortion had a significantly higher risk of an extremely preterm birth and very low birth weight in consequent births compared to women with an early termination of pregnancy.
The study found older age, being married, rural or semiurban residency and the use of reliable methods of contraception to be factors that protected from repeat terminations of pregnancy. However, having already had a baby was found to be a risk factor for repeat abortions.
“The surgical termination of pregnancy and having it performed at a later gestational age is associated with a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. Proper counselling should be provided to women who are seeking termination services on the possible adverse birth outcomes in later life and the effects of repeat abortions. Using contraception, especially long-acting reversible contraception, should be highly encouraged as it would help to reduce the number of repeat terminations,” KC says.
Public defence on Wednesday 18 October
The doctoral dissertation of MSc (Health Sciences) Situ KC in the field of epidemiology titled Termination of pregnancy and its effects on subsequent births will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Tampere University at 12 o’clock on Wednesday, 18 October 2023. The public defence will be held in auditorium F115 of the Arvo building (address: Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere). Situ KC will participate in the dissertation defence remotely. The Opponent will be Professor Oskari Heikinheimo from the University of Helsinki, Finland while Professor Suvi Virtanen from Tampere University will act as the Custos.
The doctoral dissertation is available online.
The public defence can be followed via a remote connection. (Zoom)
Photograph: Trailokya Ojha