ABORTION PROCEDURES
ABORTION PROCEDURES
Abortion Procedures and Risks
- Mifeprex
- Suction Curettage
- Dilation and Evacuation
Surgical Procedures
Suction Curettage:
between 6 to 14 weeks after LMP
- Fetal parts not all removed requiring follow up surgery
- Pelvic infection (Sepsis)
- Heavy bleeding
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E):
between 13 to 24 weeks from LMP
This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. At this point in pregnancy, the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction alone and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. This is done by inserting laminaria (seaweed stick or rod) into the cervix a day or two before the abortion. Once the cervix is stretched open the provider pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus’ skull is crushed to ease removal. A sharp tool (called a curette) is also used to scrape out the contents of the uterus, removing any remaining tissue.
- Heavy bleeding
- Cut or torn cervix
- Perforation of the wall of the uterus
- Pelvic infection (Sepsis)
- Anesthesia-related complications
- Weakened cervix
- Fetal parts not all removed requiring follow up surgery
Medication Procedure
- Fetal parts not all removed requiring follow up surgery
- Allergic reaction to the medications
- Cramping and diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever or infection
- Heavy bleeding
- Emergency contraception is not effective if a woman is already pregnant.
- Plan B One-Step does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
- The most common side effects in the Plan B One-Step clinical trial were nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, and menstrual changes.
- The manufacturer warns that Plan B One-Step is not recommended for routine use as a contraceptive.