Abortion means deliberately ending a pregnancy. In Australia, around 80,000 women have an abortion every year. Most of these surgical abortions are performed in the first trimester. Better Health Channel has more information about Abortion in Victoria. Abortion is a common type of surgery in Australia and legal. It is a very safe procedure when performed by a trained medical professional. However, all surgery carries some risk. Some of the complications of surgical abortion can include infection, injury to parts of the reproductive system and excessive bleeding. The female reproductive system and surgical abortion The female reproductive system is made up of the: Vagina – a muscular, hollow tube that leads from the outside of the body to the uterus. Cervix – the entrance (neck) of the uterus, where the vagina meets the uterus. Uterus (womb). Fallopian tubes – tubes that extend from the uterus, one on each side. They each open near an ovary, and carry the eggs (ova) from the ovaries to...
