Pregnancy Termination (Abortion)
First trimester options
Second trimester options
After abortion
From our Health Encyclopedia
A woman may choose to have an abortion for medical or personal reasons. Depending on the stage of her pregnancy, there are three types of abortion: medical termination, surgical termination, and induction of labor. Most abortions are performed in the first trimester by either medical or surgical methods.
First trimester options
Medical termination
Medical terminations require taking two medications and then having a follow-up visit—including an ultrasound—with your provider. Medical terminations are an option for women up until the seventh week of pregnancy (49 days).
- Mifepristone is a pill taken in the doctor's office. It blocks the hormone progesterone, causing the uterine lining to break down. It is followed a few days later by misoprostol, a small pill that can be swallowed, placed between the cheek and gum, or placed in the vagina. Misoprostol causes the uterus to expel its contents. A few women may require surgical intervention after medical abortion in cases where the medications did not result in abortion. This is why the follow-up visit is very important.
Surgical termination
Surgical abortion removes the contents of the uterus (womb).
- In the first trimester (up to 14 weeks), suction curettage removes fetal tissue. Under local or general anesthetic, the doctor uses a suction instrument to remove the contents of the uterus.
Second trimester options
Surgical termination
- In the second trimester (14-22.5 weeks), a dilation and evacuation (D&E) may be performed. Usually performed under anesthesia, the doctor may use a combination of a suction instrument and a special instrument called a curette to remove tissue from inside the uterus.
Induction of labor
- For a variety of reasons, some women undergo induction of labor in the second trimester rather than a surgical procedure. These women are admitted to the labor and delivery unit where labor is induced using the medication misoprostol. This may require an office visit prior to admission to administer another medication (such as mifepristone) to prepare the cervix. Women are generally able to go home a few hours after delivery.
After abortion
After medical or surgical abortions, a woman may experience bleeding for up to two weeks and have symptoms similar to menstrual cramps.
It is very important to have a plan for adequate birth control following an abortion. Talk to your provider about your options.
From our Health Encyclopedia
