Abortion - Procedures and Risks

SECOND TRIMESTER: Beyond 12 Weeks

1. Dilation and Evacuation

Procedure
After 12 weeks the growing fetus increases the abortion risks. The skeleton is harder as bones replace cartilage, and the skull is too large to pass through the suction tube. The dilation and evacuation procedure combines the cutting and tearing of the fetus and placenta and a vacuuming of the contents of the womb.

2. Saline

Procedure
Usually performed at 16+ weeks when there is enough amniotic fluid, in the sac around the fetus. A long needle is inserted through the mother's abdomen (usually through her navel) directly into the amniotic sac. Some of the amniotic fluid is drawn out and replaced with a strong salt solution. The saline is absorbed through the lungs and digestive tract of the fetus, and the outer layer of skin is burned off by the high concentration of salt.

Effects on the woman - The mother may experience discomfort with the onset of labor approximately 12 hours after the saline injection.

Complications
The saline solution causes drastic changes in the mother's blood clotting ability. If hemorrhaging did occur, the woman could die. The risk of blood clots and infection are greater with saline abortions.

3. Prostaglandin Abortion

Procedure
An alternative to the saline abortion, prostaglandin can be taken as a pill, a suppository or injected into the womb. It works by bringing on premature labor.

Effects on the woman - May cause severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can cause an irregular labor pattern that can be painful and frightening. The violent labor associated with prostaglandin abortion can result in rupture of the uterus, which may cause hemorrhaging, hysterectomy, and death.

4. Hysterotomy - Performed when saline or prostaglandin fails to induce labor or when the woman is more than 18 weeks pregnant.

Procedure
A miniature Cesarean section. The baby is removed through an incision of the abdomen and uterus. These babies are born alive and are usually smothered with a towel or drowned in a bucket of water. Because of the ethical issues involved in handling a live fetus that might live if given medical care, many doctors refuse to perform abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Complications
Because it involves major surgery, it has a much higher complication rate.

5. Partial Birth Abortion - Term abortion

Procedure
The fetus is turned to the breech position, and pulled from the womb legs first, With the head remaining inside the mother, the doctor inserts blunt scissors into the base of the neck in order to suction out the contents of the brain. As the head collapses. the dead fetus is delivered.

Although legal in the United States, individual state laws may prohibit partial birth abortions in their state.

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