Learn About Abortion Procedures
Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. For many women, it is a life changing event with significant physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. Most women who struggle with past abortions say that they wish they had been told all of the facts about abortion. The following information will help you understand more about abortion procedures and abortion side-effects and risks.
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Abortion Procedures
Manual Vacuum
Aspiration: within 7 weeks after LMP
This surgical abortion is
done early in the pregnancy up until 7 weeks after the woman's last
menstrual period. The cervical muscle is stretched with dilators (metal
rods) until the opening is wide enough to allow the abortion instruments
to pass into the uterus. A hand held syringe is attached to tubing that is
inserted into the uterus and the fetus is suctioned out.
Suction Curettage: within 6 to 14 weeks
after LMP
In this procedure, the doctor opens the cervix with a
dilator (a metal rod) or laminaria (thin sticks derived from plants and
inserted several hours before the procedure). The doctor inserts tubing
into the uterus and connects the tubing to a suction machine. The suction
pulls the fetus' body apart and out of the uterus. One variation of this
procedure is called Dilation and Curettage (D&C). In this method, the
doctor may use a curette, a looped-shaped knife, to scrape the fetal parts
out of the uterus.
Dilation and Evacuation
(D&E): within 13 to 24 weeks after LMP
This surgical
abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. Because the
developing fetus doubles in size between the eleventh and twelfth weeks of
pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction
and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this procedure, the
cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. This is
done by inserting laminaria a day or two before the abortion. After
opening the cervix, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The
fetus' skull is crushed to ease removal.
Dilation and Extraction
(D&X): from 20 weeks after LMP to full-term
Also known as
Partial-birth Abortion, this procedure takes three days. During the first
two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On
the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor. After labor
begins, the abortion doctor uses ultrasound to locate the baby's legs.
Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the baby up to the baby's
head. Next, scissors are inserted into the base of the skull to create an
opening. A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the skull
contents. The skull collapses and the baby is removed.
RU486,
Mifepristone: within 4 to 7 weeks after LMP
Also known as the
Abortion Pill, this medical abortion is used for women who are within 30
to 49 days after their last menstrual period. This procedure usually
requires three office visits. The RU 486 or mifepristone pills are given
to the woman who returns two days later for a second medication called
misprostol. The combination of these medications causes the uterus to
expel the fetus.
Help Is Available
Facing an unplanned pregnancy can seem overwhelming. That is why knowing where to go for help is important. Talk to someone you can trust - your partner, your parents, a pastor, a priest or perhaps a good friend. Also, our caring staff at Choices of the Heart are available to help you through this difficult time. Please call 1-888-68WOMEN or email us.
