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Considering an Abortion?
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If you are pregnant and
considering an abortion,
please make an appointment
to talk with us before you
make a final decision. Let
us help you understand the
facts; we are here to
educate and empower you to
make an informed choice.
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Surgical Abortion Procedures
(LMP = last menstrual period)
Manual Vacuum Aspiration: (performed within 7
weeks after LMP)
This type abortion involves the insertion of a soft
flexible tube through the cervix into the uterus. A hand
held syringe is attached to the tube and the embryo is
suctioned out.
Suction Curettage: (performed between 6 to 14
weeks after LMP)
Similar to the Manual Vacuum Aspiration, this type of
abortion uses a machine rather than a hand-held syringe
to create suction. Either local or general anesthetic
will be administered to numb the cervix. The cervix is
then dilated with a dilator (a metal rod) or laminaria.
After the cervix is stretched open, a cannula, which is
a long plastic tube connected to a vacuum aspiration
machine, is inserted into the uterus to suction out the
fetus and placenta.
Dilation & Curettage (D&C): (performed within
6 to 14 weeks after LMP)
Dilation and curettage is similar to suction aspiration
but with the introduction of a curette. The curette, a
loop shaped knife, scrapes the lining, placenta and
fetus away from the uterus. A cannula may be inserted
for a final suctioning.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): (performed
within 13 to 24 weeks after LMP)
This surgical abortion is done during the second
trimester of pregnancy. Often this is a two day
procedure. Since the fetus has doubled in size and is
too large to be broken up by suction and pass through
suction tubing, the cervix must be expanded further than
in a first trimester abortion. After the cervix has been
dilated with laminaria (over the course of 1 to 2 days
depending on the necessary dilation), the physician
pulls out the fetal parts with forceps to remove the
pregnancy. The fetal skull is crushed to ease removal.
The final step is suction using the aspirating machine.
Additionally, a curette may be used to scrape out the
contents of the uterus to ensure all parts of the fetus,
uterine lining, and placenta have been removed.
Although rare, possible complications from surgical
abortion procedures can occur.
Please contact us so we can help
you understand the facts. Our peer counselors offer
accurate information on all pregnancy options.
Our center does not perform nor refer for
abortions.
Source: Serving with Care and Integrity, Care
Net, 2003. |
