Conventionally, to abort means to put to end, the process of a pregnancy, by removing the embryo or foetus. This is usually done before the foetus has the capacity to survive outside the uterus. When abortion happens without any external action, it is referred to as a miscarriage, and when it is done intentionally, it is referred to as induced abortion.

Now, there are various reasons why ladies have abortion, and most times, they are usually specific to them. However, the reasons listed here are quite common among ladies.

For those who are schooling, having a child would mean that their education has been affected. Hence, they would have an abortion in order to prevent that.

When it comes to those who are yet to commence schooling, when they discover that they are pregnant, what it means it, they would be unable to go to school, because they would need to take care of their child. Hence, they would make all efforts to remove it.

There are some married ladies who are of the opinion that having a child at the early stage of their marriage would affect their job. Hence, if they get pregnant mistakenly, they would make all efforts to ensure that the foetus leaves, so that they can focus fully on their job.

Even for some of those who have children, they can have an abortion because they believe that they would not be able to cater for the additional child. Hence, whenever they discover that they are pregnant, they ensure that it is removed instantly.

There are some cases when ladies get raped, and due to the shame, they take to having an abortion. This usually occurs when they do not know who the father is, or most times if the father is someone close, like a relative.

There are other ladies who are promiscuous, and they cannot afford to get pregnant because it would affect them, and prevent them from making money. Hence, once they discover that they are pregnant, they ensure that they remove the pregnancy immediately.

It is advised that ladies reduce the rate at which they have an abortion, as it has an adverse effect on their womb in the long run.

Basically, abortion can be defined as the process whereby a pregnancy is terminated by removing the foetus, before it gains the capacity to survive in the exteriors of the uterus. Abortion which occurs in the absence of intervention, is known as a miscarriage. Also, when there are intentional steps taken to end a pregnancy, it is known as induced abortion, it is also called induced miscarriage sometimes.

Below are reasons why you should not think of having an abortion:

• It adds to tragedy: It is understandable that most times, the circumstances which surrounds a pregnancy are unpalatable. Hence, the woman in question would want to remove the baby due to the fact that the thought of it induces shame and pain. It should be known that it is not a good idea to end the life of an unborn baby simply because you want to end pain.

Visiting a counsellor is better in this case.

• It is against civil rights: In many countries, having an abortion is a violation of civil rights, and it is punishable depending on the rules of the country. Children who are yet to be born, should not be denied their right to live their own life irrespective of the instances surrounding their birth.

• It can cause harm to women: Women who undergo abortion, are putting their lives at risk. This is because there are health demerits which are attached to this. Asides the fact that they could be affected health-wise, they could also face mental, relational and emotional problems. Sometimes, women die on the spot after having an abortion.

• It damages relationships: Committing an abortion makes people to think less of you. With time, you would discover that you would lose many friends, as they would want to keep their distance from you. When it gets to this stage, you would realise that you have lost both your relationships, and a life- The unborn child.

• It does not go away: After having an abortion, the thought and the experience never goes away. It is something which would remain with you for the rest of your life. It is a stigma which sticks and does not live.