By Girls, For Girls - Abortion - The Facts: The Types

The Types

What are the types of abortions?

There are two types of abortions available today, the medical abortion, and the surgical abortion.

MEDICAL ABORTION

METHOTREXATE:

FORM: It can be taken by injection or orally.
WHAT? It stops the ongoing implantation process that occurs during the first several weeks after conception.

MIFEPRISTONE (RU-486):

FORM: It is taken orally.
WHAT? This pill blocks progesterone, the hormone necessary to sustain a pregnancy. The lining of the uterus breaks down without this hormone and the cervix (the opening of the uterus or womb) softens and bleeds. Bleeding is very heavy. This procedure can be used up to the second month of pregnancy.

MISOPROSTOL:

FORM: It is taken orally or it can be put into the vagina.
WHAT? It is taken after one of the above two has been taken. This causes the uterus to contract and empty. This ends the pregnancy.

How long do medical abortions take?

Medical abortions take anywhere from 3 days to 3 to 4 weeks. It also requires a minimum of 2 visits to the clinic or office.

What happens after a medical abortion?

Some symptoms that are felt after a medical abortion include:

Nausea
Severe cramping
Vomiting
Bleeding

The woman then expels the embryo.

SURGICAL ABORTION

EARLY UTERINE EVACUATION (EUE):
HOW? This procedure is done by suction.
WHERE? This can be done in a clinic, medical office, or a hospital.
VACUUM ASPIRATION: 1st 12 wks
HOW? This process is done by dilation, suction, and sometimes curettage.
WHERE? This can be done in a clinic, medical office, and in a hospital.
DILATION AND CURETTAGE (D & C): 1st 12 wks
HOW? This obviously is done by dilation and curettage. This is the most common abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
WHERE? This can be done in a clinic, medical office, and a hospital.
DILATION AND EVACUATION (D & E): 2nd trimester
HOW? This procedure is done through the use of dilation, suction, curettage, and forceps.
WHERE? This can be done in a clinic, medical office, and in a hospital.
INDUCTION ABORTION: 2nd trimester
1. Instillation Procedure
2. Saline Abortion
3. Prostaglandin Abortion
HOW? These abortions involve the injection of a liquid through the abdomen, into the amniotic sac. Uterine contractions (labor) expel the fetus and the placenta.
WHERE? These procedures can only be done in a hospital.
HYSTEROTOMY: (rarely done)
HOW? In this process the uterus is cut open.
WHERE? This is only done in a hospital.

Although abortions are generally safe, nothing is ever really without risks. The following are some of the risks and complications that can occur in an abortion procedure.

(SEE GLOSSARY OF TERMS)

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

Infection
Retained tissue and/or body parts
Perforation of uterus if an instrument goes through its wall.
(This is more risky with a D & E)
Hemorrhaging - excessive bleeding of uterus.
Cervical laceration (tear)
Missed abortion- continued pregnancy, some tissue is removed and yet she remains pregnant.
Postabortal syndrome (blood in the uterus).
Possible effect on future pregnancies.