Apparently, the procedures are different for women having abortions due to miscarriage rather than choice. Why

Question

I had a D&C apropos of a blighted ovum -- a 'missed miscarriage' -- and it involved:

-- general anaesthetic
-- an overnight stay in the hospital
-- generous amounts of painkillers

I was not very far along at all. The overnight stay wasn't necessary, but it was nice to be, well, drugged and able to relax with other people bringing me food. The room ('semi-private') had an easy chair that reclined enough for my husband to sleep in, too; his staying overnight wasn't a problem.

From the looks of the posts on abortions, abortion clinics don't normally offer general anaesthetic, and certianly not overnight stays, and I'm not clear on the painkiller issue.

??

I'm in Canada, if that makes any difference.

Insurance -- duh! Drew a blank on that.

Still confused as to why general anaesthetic would seem to be a default in one and not the other... I don't think that's common in Canada, either.

Weird re. blood on hand issues at clinics. Hmm.

And, interestingly, I don't suppose I'd want fussing over me for an elective abortion either. Getting it over with and getting out of there would likely be all that was on my mind.

(And, yes, I did get pregnant again with no problems -- 4+ months into that, now!)

Answer 1

Yeah being in Canada makes a very big difference. Mainly because of your health insurance. Our taxes don't pay for health insurance so the insurance companies here set the rules. Some insurance companies do allow for -- general anaesthetic
-- an overnight stay in the hospital
-- generous amounts of painkillers
IF they are medically necessary, in most cases in a first trimester abortion general anesthetic and an over night stay are not medically necessary unless it is a complicated pregnancy or eptoptic pregnancy (and yes removal of a eptoptic pregnancy IS medically considered an abortion) pain killers are given as needed since there really isn't much pain involved (were talking physical pain and not emotinal) a day or two of pain meds is usually given but after that the patient is instructed to use motrin or tylenol. If it is an early abortion done within in the first 6 to 8 weeks a D & C can be done that requires no medically necessary stays, or meds beyond tylenol. Some insurance companies however cover everything whether medically necessary or not. Some insurance companies don't insure abortions at all.

Second trimester/late term abrortions are different...quite often an over night stay is required especially if the patient is alone. But this is where things get "tricky" Insurance companies that do cover late term abortions usually put restrictions on how late...Here in the U.S. any abortions past 22 weeks is illegal so no insurnace company is going to cover ANY abortion past 22 weeks. Some insurance companies that do cover 2nd trimester abortions limit them to the 16th/17th week which is usually when the first ultrasound is done. Some insurance companies will not insure aobritons past the 17th week. Those that do some cover general anesthesia as well as over night stays and a couple days of pain meds. Others it depends on whether it can be determined medically necessary and still other's will cover the over night stay but not the general anesthesia.
Here in the states one needs to look at ALL of the "fine print" before putting a signature to an insurance contract otherwise they may assume something is covered when it isn't. Quite different than Canada.

And contrary to what was said earlier...there are a large number of insurance companies that DO cover elective abortions. Again...Met does, so does Blue Shield of California, so does Blue Cross so does Health Net. CatholicHealthcare does not but...it's CatholicHEalthCare. Champus Tricare does but only on patients over the age of 18. I learned about that one when I was pregnant for my daughter however Triwest (a branch of Champus/Tricare) does not cover ANY abortions for ANY reason medical or not. Don't you just love how the insurance companies control our lives?

Answer 2

I also had a miscarriage and a D&C. I did get a general anaesthetic, but didn't get the stay in the hospital. In fact, they tried to push me out after an hour. But, the anaesthetic made me too sick. Eventually, I made it out to the car and my hubby picked up some painkillers - oxycodiene. Legally, I can only have one bottle of those. But, I got vicadin to take a long with them.

The double standard would be because you didn't choose it. Abortion is not covered by medical insurance - it's an option not covered. So, they wouldn't pay for the care. Hence, the treatment. But, from what I've "heard" from friends who've had an abortion they also get some type of pain relief.

Answer 3

Most women who have to get abortions for medical reasons were very excited to be parents.

Most women who choose to get an abortion are not excited to be a parent and/or didn't even want the child in the first place.

I would think having a medical abortion would be just as upsetting as a still birth or a regular miscarriage. They probably do need a little support from medical staff and a little rest.

I would think choosing to have an abortion wouldn't be like anything other then killing a bug [to some people] and they really wouldn't care. I know if I chose to have an abortion I would have such guilt that I wouldn't even want to be pampered with painkillers or nice surroundings.

I don't know but it does make sense to me somewhat. It's an ethical thing and I don't see how anyone who chooses to have an abortion would even want to be taken care of. That's just my opinion though! Good question!

EDIT TO ADD:

Suggir had a great point. I do think most insurance companies do cover medical abortions in the US but they do not cover abortions by choice. So that makes a lot of sense why a medical abortion would be a little more comfy. It would be covered by insurance but if it was an abortion by choice a person really wouldn't want to pay for extra care that technically they don't need.

Answer 4

First of all sorry to hear about your miscarriage. You are absolutely right- no overnight stays for abortions- it is an outpatient procedure. It shouldn't be- some abortion clinics do not even have blood for a transfusion if needed if the women loses to much blood during an abortion- which happens often. A women choosing to abort is in and out of the clinic or dr. office very quickly.- I think it may have to do with the fact that the drs do so many in a day, and they do not want to get involved in the lives of the women who are choosing to take the life of their babies- with a woman who is miscarrying they show more compassion. I pray that you are able to have another child in the near future. God bless!!

Answer 5

I think it's different because the abortion is by choice, while a miscarriage is not. I'm guessing that they're more concern about a person who miscarried due to the fact that it wasn't supposed to happen and that there might be a serious underlying cause for it happening.