Abortion - Procedures and Risks

FIRST TRIMESTER: First 12 weeks

Two types of Abortion.

1. SUCTION AND CURETTAGE (Vacuum aspiration)

Procedure
Dilation of the cervix - Area is numbed with an anesthetic. Rods of varying thickness are used to force the cervix open in order to insert the surgical instruments.

A thin plastic tube connected to a glass vacuum canister is inserted into the uterus. The suction device for abortion is about 29 times more powerful than a home vacuum canister. The woman will experience a strong pulling sensation as the contents of the uterus are pulled through the tubing.

Possible Complications
Infection can occur if any portion of the fetus or placenta is left behind or if the surgical instruments are not sterile. Most infections can be cured with antibiotics, however, infection can result in the inflammation of the uterus called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can hinder conception. Hemorrhaging (uncontrollable bleeding) can occur with any abortion, but is more common when the fetus is larger. Vitamin K injections may be administered to help the blood coagulate. Occasionally, a blood transfusion may be necessary. Scar tissue may form around (the uterus where the uterine wall has been scraped to remove placental tissue. Scar tissue may make it difficult for a woman to conceive later on. Blocked fallopian tubes (which makes conception impossible) may be another result of scar tissue. Perforation of the uterus wall may occur because the uterus is much softer during pregnancy and more vulnerable to the abortion instruments.

2. DILATION AND CURETTAGE (Cutting and tearing the fetus and placenta into small pieces)

Procedure
The cervix is dilated and, rather than suctioning out the contents of the womb, a sharp instrument called a curette (sharp, spoon-shaped knife) is used to cut and tear the fetus and placenta into small pieces. The walls of the uterus are then scraped to insure that all the placenta remains are removed.

Possible Complications
The procedure takes longer than vacuum aspiration, and anesthesia is almost always used. There is less bleeding and less chance of hemorrhaging. The cervix must be dilated more, increasing the risk for muscle damage which can result in an "incompetent cervix."

Note: Although the abortion procedure does pose some health risks, major complications are rare.