Aspiration Abortion (first trimester):
Aspiration Abortion is commonly referred to as a suction abortion and considered a surgical procedure. This one-day procedure is available up to the 14th week of pregnancy and should include local anesthesia and oral pain relievers. It is common that this procedure could take between three or more hours. It should only be performed in a medical setting.
The Procedure:
- You should receive oral pain medications such as Valium or ibuprofen. If you are more than 12 weeks pregnant, you should also receive misoprostol which causes the cervix to soften and dilation to occur.
- If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, you will begin your procedure in about an hour to allow the pain relievers to take effect.
- If you are over 12 weeks pregnant, the misoprostol needs a few hours to work.
- After the medications are working, you will go into the procedure room and be asked to undress from the waist down.
- The doctor will use a tool called the “speculum” to view inside your vagina.
- Your vagina will be cleaned with soapy gauze and numbing medication applied to your cervix.
- The use of metal rods will then be used to dilate your cervix.
- A tube will be inserted into your uterus.
- The doctor will then apply suction from a machine to the end of the tube and remove the embryo through the tube.
- The doctor will check to make sure the complete embryo has been suctioned out, and if not, repeat suction.
Side Effects:
- Cramping
- Dizziness
- Bleeding (including blood clots)
Any surgical procedure has risks involved. If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room or call your doctor.
- Fever (this is usually a sign of infection)
- Passing clots that are larger than a fist for more than two hours
- Bleeding that goes through two pads in an hour for more than an hour
- Vaginal discharge that is foul smelling
- Pain and cramping that gets worse over time
- Continued pregnancy symptoms
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E):
This surgical type of abortion is the most commonly used in second-trimester abortion and takes place usually between 15 and 23 weeks gestation. It takes a couple of days for the entire procedure.
The Procedure:
- In many cases, your doctor will insert laminaria (or another synthetic dilator) inside your cervix 24 hours before the procedure.
- When a woman comes back the next day, she should be offered antibiotics to prevent infection and may be administered anesthesia for the procedure.
- The doctor will begin to open the cervix using metal dilators and a speculum.
- Then, the doctor will insert a large suction catheter into the uterus emptying the amniotic fluid.
- When the amniotic fluid is removed, a Sopher clamp (an instrument that allows the doctor to grasp the fetus) is then used to pull out the fetus.
- Several attempts may be required.
- After the fetus is removed, the doctor will use a curette instrument to scrape the inside of the uterus, remove the placenta, and any other remaining tissue.
- All tissue and fetal matter are examined to determine that everything was removed and the procedure is complete.
You need to know:
- There may be irregular bleeding and spotting in the first 2 weeks.
- Don’t use tampons, only use pads.
- There could be some cramping that resembles menstrual cramps which may last for a few hours to a few days as the uterus shrinks to its average size.
- Antibiotics will be given to prevent infection.
- Over the counter pain medication can be taken to help alleviate pain.
Contact the doctor or visit the emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:
- Bleeding heavily for 12 or more hours
- Soaking more than 2 pads in an hour, for 2 or more hours
- Blood clots the size of a ping-pong ball being passed for 2 or more hours
- Signs of infection that include headache, dizziness, fever of 100.4 F or higher that lasts longer than 4 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Rapid heart rate
- Sudden abdominal pain
- Pain, swelling, or redness in the genital area
Risks:
- Injury to the uterus
- Infection
- Moderate to severe bleeding
- Blood clots can occur if the uterus doesn’t contract to pass all the tissue (medication can be used to stop the bleeding)
- Cervical opening can become blocked and prevent blood from leaving the uterus creating an enlarged uterus with tenderness, cramping, and nausea
- A repeat vacuum aspiration can be used if there is any remaining fetal tissue and to expel blood clots
Late-Term Abortion:
Late-term abortion is directly connected to “fetal viability” or when a fetus can survive outside the womb without medical assistance. The definition of fetal viability is different from state to state. If you are unaware of your state’s late-term abortion laws, communicate your concerns to the doctor or research your particular states’ abortion laws. In cases where gestation is 21 weeks, Dilation and Extraction (D&X), Intrauterine Cranial Decompression, and Partial Birth Abortion are used.
The Procedure:
- Two days before the procedure the use of laminaria (a product made of seaweed) is inserted vaginally to dilate the cervix.
- On the third day, the amniotic sac should break.
- After returning to the clinic, forceps are used to grasp the fetus and pull it out by the legs through the birth canal.
- Before the head comes completely through the birth canal, a tiny incision is placed at the base of the skull, and a suction catheter is inserted.
- The catheter suctions the developing brain material until the skull collapses.
- After that, the fetus is then completely removed.
Contact the doctor or visit the emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:
- Bleeding heavily for 12 or more hours in a row
- Soaking more than 2 pads in an hour, for 2 or more hours in a row
- Blood clots the size of a ping-pong ball being passed for 2 or more hours
- Signs of infection that include headache, dizziness, fever of 100.4 F or higher that lasts longer than 4 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Rapid heart rate
- Sudden abdominal pain
- Pain, swelling, or redness in the genital area
Risks:
- Injury to the uterus
- Infection
- Moderate to severe bleeding
- Blood clots can occur if the uterus doesn’t contract to pass all the tissue (medication can be used to stop the bleeding)
- The cervical opening can become blocked and prevent blood from leaving the uterus creating an enlarged uterus with tenderness, cramping, and nausea.
- A repeat vacuum aspiration can be used if there is any remaining fetal tissue and to expel blood clots
Emotional Cost:
Abortion procedures are accompanied by emotional components. Of course, terminating a pregnancy causes hormonal shifts that affect mood. Many feelings come with having an abortion that can be complex and sometimes life threatening. Reach out to someone to share your concerns. Call us at Care Net Pregnancy Medical Center; we are here to walk alongside you in any part of your journey.
Listed below are possible emotional feelings you may experience after having an abortion procedure:
- Guilt
- Shame
- Anger
- Loneliness or isolation
- Low self-confidence
- Sleeplessness
- Relationship problems
- Suicidal thoughts
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
**If you are having suicidal thoughts or long term depression, seek a medical professional immediately.
Why do some women have negative emotional or psychological effects after an abortion?
Many times, the emotional side effects are highly connected to how we view the growing fetus. Some women don’t view the fetus as a baby, while others do. Some feel immediate relief, and others struggle with the after effects for years.
Reasons why some women may have a more difficult time after an abortion:
- Previously or currently experiencing a mental health issue
- Feels pressured or coerced to have an abortion
- Religious background doesn’t support abortion
- Morally conflicted with abortion
- Received a second or third term abortion
- Doesn’t have a support system
- Feels abortion was necessary based on genetic testing or fetal abnormalities