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There are three ways a pregnancy can end: a woman can give
birth, have a miscarriage or she can choose to have an abortion.
If you make an informed decision to have an abortion, you and
your doctor will need to consider how long you have been pregnant
before deciding which abortion method to use.
Based on data from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), the risk of dying as a direct result of a legally induced
abortion is less than one per 100,000.
FROM 2-12 WEEKS
(From 4-14 weeks after the first day of the
last normal menstrual period)
Abortion Methods: Early non-surgical abortion
or Vacuum Aspiration
Early non-surgical abortion
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A drug is given to stop the development of the pregnancy.
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A second drug is given by mouth or placed in the vagina,
causing the uterus to contract and expel the fetus and placenta.
Vacuum Aspiration
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Local anesthetic is applied or injected into or near the
cervix to prevent pain.
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Opening of the cervix is gradually stretched. This is done
by the insertion of a series of dilators, each one thicker than
the previous one, into the opening of the cervix. The thickest
dilator used is about the width of a fountain pen.
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After opening is stretched, a clear plastic tube is inserted
into the uterus and attached to a suction system. The fetus and
placenta are then removed.
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After the tube has been removed, a spoon-like instrument,
called a curette may be used to gently scrape the walls of the
uterus to be sure it has been completely emptied of the pregnancy.
Medical Risks
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Immediate medical risks may include the following,
which are discussed on
pages 16-17: blood clots in the uterus, heavy bleeding,
cut or torn cervix, perforation of the wall of the uterus, pelvic infection,
incomplete abortion, anesthesia-related complications.
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Possible long-term medical risks
are discussed on
page 17.
FROM 13-21/22 WEEKS
(From 15-23/24 weeks after the first day of
the last normal menstrual period)
Abortion Methods: Dilatation and Evacuation (D&E)
or Labor Induction
Dilatation and Evacuation (D&E)
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Sponge-like tapered pieces of absorbent material are placed
into the cervix. This material becomes moist and slowly opens
the cervix.
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Sponge-like material will remain in place for several hours
or overnight.
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A second or third application of the material may be necessary.
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Intravenous medications may be given to ease pain and prevent
infection.
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After a local or general anesthetic is given, the fetus and
placenta are removed from the uterus with medical instruments
such as forceps and suction curettage. Occasionally for removal,
it will be necessary to dismember the fetus.
Medical Risks
-
Immediate medical risks may include the following,
which are discussed on
pages 16-17: blood clots in the uterus, heavy bleeding,
cut or torn cervix, perforation of the wall of the uterus, pelvic infection,
incomplete abortion, anesthesia-related complications.
-
Possible long-term medical risks
are discussed on
page 17.
Labor Induction
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Labor induction may require a hospital stay.
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Medicine is given to start labor in one of three ways: medicine
is placed in the cervix, directly into the woman's vein or by
inserting a needle through the mother's abdomen and into the
amniotic sac (bag of waters).
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Labor will usually begin in 2-4 hours.
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If the afterbirth (placenta) is not completely removed during
labor induction, the doctor must open the cervix and use suction
curettage.
Medical Risks
-
Labor induction abortion carries the highest risk for problems,
such as infection and heavy bleeding.
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When medicines are used to start labor, there is a risk of
rupture of the uterus.
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Other immediate medical risks may include the following,
which are discussed on
pages 16-17: blood clots in the uterus, heavy bleeding,
cut or torn cervix, perforation of the wall of the uterus, pelvic infection,
incomplete abortion, anesthesia-related complications.
-
Possible long-term medical risks
are discussed on
page 17.
If the labor induction method is used, there is a small chance
that a baby could live for a short period of time. (See
"What if the fetus is determined to be viable?",
page 15.)
FROM 22-38 WEEKS
(From 24-40 weeks after the first day of the last normal menstrual
period)
Abortion Methods: Labor Induction or Hysterotomy
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Labor induction may require a hospital stay.
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Medicine is given to start labor in one of three ways: medicine
is placed in the cervix, directly into the woman's vein or by
inserting a needle through the mother's abdomen and into the
amniotic sac (bag of waters).
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If the afterbirth (placenta) is not completely removed during
labor induction, the doctor must open the cervix and use suction
or instrumental curettage.
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Labor and delivery of the fetus during this period are similar
to childbirth.
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The duration of labor depends on the size of the baby and
the readiness of the uterus.
Medical Risks
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As with childbirth, possible complications of labor induction
include infection and heavy bleeding.
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When medicines are used to start labor, there is a risk of
rupture of the uterus.
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Other immediate medical risks may include the following,
which are discussed on
pages 16-17:
blood clots in the uterus, heavy bleeding, cut or torn cervix, perforation
of the wall of the uterus, pelvic infection, incomplete abortion,
anesthesia-related complications.
Hysterotomy (similar to a Caesarean
Section)
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This method requires that the woman be admitted into a hospital.
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A hysterotomy may be performed if labor cannot be started by inducing labor,
or if the woman or her fetus is too sick to undergo labor.
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A hysterotomy is the removal of the fetus by surgically cutting open the
abdomen and uterus. Anesthetic medication, given intravenously or into the
woman's back, or by breathing the anesthetic, is administered so the woman
will not feel the pain of the surgery
Medical Risks
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Complications are similar to those seen with other abdominal surgeries and
administration of anesthesia, such as severe infection (sepsis); blood clots
to the heart and brain (emboli); stomach contents breathed into the lungs
(aspiration pneumonia); severe bleeding (hemorrhage); and injury to the urinary
tract.
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Other possible immediate risks include: blood clots in the uterus, heavy
bleeding, pelvic infection, retention of pieces of the placenta, anesthesia-related
complications.
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Possible long-term medical risks are discussed on
page 17.
Click Here To The
Third Section:
WHAT IF THE FETUS IS
DETERMINED TO BE VIABLE?
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