 |
During
an abortion, the pregnancy is removed from the uterus. The options vary depending upon upon
the stage of pregnancy. During the appointment, clinic
staff will explain the procedure, risks, medications, options, and what to expect
afterward. Note: weeks are measured
since last menstrual period (LMP).
 Medical Abortion (also known as Mifepristone, RU486, Non-surgical
Abortion, the French abortion pill, or medication abortion):
Medical abortion is an option up to 8 weeks LMP. Prescription
Mifepristone is taken in pill form at the clinic. It causes
the end of the pregnancy. Then 24-72 hours later, the woman uses Misoprostol to cause the uterus to contract and expel the tissue. A follow-up
appointment is required to make sure the abortion is complete.
Occasionally more than one follow-up appointment is necessary.
To use this method, women must live within 2 hours of a hospital.
Some women prefer Medical Abortion because the process feels
more natural and private; they can decide where they are when
they go through the experience, such as staying home for the
weekend. Side effects of the second medication include cramping,
bleeding, diarrhea, nausea, etc.
Vacuum
Aspiration:
In the first trimester, usually 6 to 13 weeks, vacuum
aspiration is the procedure used to empty the uterus. This traditional first trimester
abortion involves three main steps: (1) an injection to numb the cervix, (2) insertion
of a soft flexible tube through the cervix into the uterus, (3) suction created
by an aspirating machine to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. It is done in an outpatient clinic, doctor's office or hospital and takes less than five
minutes to complete the actual procedure. IPAS
Syringe - Early Abortion with Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA):
As soon as the pregnancy can be
detected by ultrasound (typically 4-5 weeks), an abortion
can be performed using a manual aspiration device called the
IPAS Syringe. Similar to the suction aspiration procedure,
the IPAS system consists of thin flexible tubing, but instead
of using a machine to create suction, the suction is created
by a handheld syringe. The procedure usually takes less than
5 minutes to complete. Aftercare is the same as with suction
aspiration. Availability of this procedure is based upon doctor's
discretion. Abortion by syringe is sometimes referred to as the quiet abortion.
D
& E (Dilate and Evacuate):
From 13 to 24 weeks, Cedar River Clinics use the Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) procedure. Appointments
are made for 2-3 consecutive days. On the first day, an ultrasound (sonogram)
is performed to determine the size of the fetus. Then, the abortion procedure
is begun by numbing the cervix with injections and inserting dilators into the
cervix. Overnight these dilators gently expand, opening the entrance to the uterus.
The next day, the cervix is again numbed, the dilators are removed, and the doctor
uses special instruments to evacuate the uterus and remove the pregnancy. The final
step is suction using the aspirating machine. In more advanced pregnancies, additional
dilators are inserted on the second day and the fetus is removed on the third
day. The medical procedure lasts about 10-15 minutes.
General
Anesthesia:
At Cedar River Clinics in Renton,
deep sedation is an option for either
first and second trimester procedures. With deep sedation,
the woman is unconscious during the procedure (5 to 15 minutes)
and afterward she has no memory of the events. The type of
anesthesia we use is administered intravenously, through an
IV in the arm, by a licensed nurse anesthetist. It is fast-acting
and consciousness quickly returns when the procedure is over.
Afterward, the client relaxes for 1-2 hours before she can
leave the clinic and she must not drive afterward. There is
an extra charge for deep sedation and not all insurance
plans cover it.
Local
Anesthesia / Conscious Sedation / Comfort Sleep
Several medication
options are available to help make the abortion as comfortable as possible.
All
abortion patients at Cedar River Clinics have access to a 24-hour hotline to call if there are questions or concerns
between appointment days or after the abortion procedure.
More info:
updated
March 18, 2008
"To
stop the stigma, people must talk about abortion. We must shed light on this topic.
Yet it's perfectly understandable why people are reluctant to speak out, it's
a matter of privacy. And, that privacy deserves to be respected."
Feminist Women's Health Center |
