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Abortion Procedures What are the types of surgical abortions? What are the risks associated with abortion?
Manual Vacuum Aspiration Until about 7 weeks after last menstrual period (LMP)
This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up until 7 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period. A long, thin tube is inserted into the uterus. A large syringe is attached to the tube and the embryo is suctioned out.
Suction Curettage About 6 to 14 weeks after LMP
This is the most common surgical abortion procedure. Because the fetus is larger, the doctor must first stretch open the cervix using metal rods. Opening the cervix may be painful, so local or general anesthesia is typically needed. After the cervix is stretched open, the doctor inserts a hard plastic tube into the uterus, then connects this tube to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus’ body apart and out of the uterus. (The doctor may refer to the fetus and fetal parts as the “products of conception”)
Second Trimester Abortions
Dilation and Evacuation (D & E) Between about 13 to 24 weeks after LMP
This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. At this point in pregnancy, the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction alone 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 numerous thin rods mad of seaweed (called laminaria) a day or two before the abortion. Once the cervix is stretched open, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetal skull is often crushed to ease removal. A loop-shaped tool called a curette is also used to scrape out the contents of the uterus, removing any remaining tissue. Late Term Abortions Late Term Abortions From about 20 weeks after LMP to Full-term
These procedures typically take place over three days, use local anesthesia, and are associated with increased risk to life and health of the mother. On the first day, under ultrasound guidance, the fetal heart in injected with a medication that stops the heart and causes the fetus to die. Also over the first two days, the cervix is gradually stretched open using laminaria. On the third day, the amniotic sac is burst and drained. The remainder of the procedure is similar to the D & E procedure described earlier. Resources: Induced Abortion. ACOG Patient Education Pamphlet, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. June 2007 Rock J, Thompson J. TeLinde’s Operative Gynecology, 8th edition, Lippincott-Raven, 1997 Rock J, Thompson J. TeLinde’s Operative Gynecology. Stenchever M, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology, 4th edition, Mosby, Inc, 2001 Fox MC, et al. Cervical Preparation for Second Trimester Surgical Abortion Prior to 20 Weeks. Contraception 2007; 76(6):486-95 Rock J, Thompson J. TeLinde’s Operative Gynecology. http:www.drhern.com/medicalprocedures.asp; Boulder Abortion clinic, P.C. (accessed June 16, 2008) Pasquini L, et al. Intracardiac injection of potassium chloride as method for feticide: experience from a single UK tertiary centre. British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2008; 115(4):528-31 Information taken from Before You Decide, CareNet brochure 2008
Long Term Risks of Abortion
CPC Pregnancy Resources does not refer for or provide abortions. We have medically-documented information that will help you make an informed decision regarding your pregnancy.
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