Open AccessLegal Teenage Abortions in a Swedish Population in the 1970s
Author(s) -
Larsson Jan,
Svanberg Lars
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348309155748
Subject(s) - medicine , abortion , induced abortions , population , obstetrics , family planning , pregnancy , developed country , teenage pregnancy , gynecology , research methodology , environmental health , genetics , biology
. The number of teenage abortions increased sharply in the early 1970s but gradually decreased from 1975, in absolute numbers as well as in relation to population figures. Teenage abortions now constitute 15% of the total number of abortions. However, the percentage of teenage pregnancies that are terminated by legal abortion is constantly increasing. As the preservation of childbearing function is of paramount importance in teenagers, a low complication rate is essential. Complications occurred in 7% of the cases studied, and the effects of complications of legal abortion on the later obstetric history are discussed. In 14% of the cases a second pregnancy was also terminated artificially. The repeat abortion rate is discussed, with special reference to the contraceptive method used.