Abortion Information

Abortion Pill

The Abortion Pill, also known as RU-486 or medication abortion, is an early abortion method that utilizes two different medications (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) to end a pregnancy. The first drug (Mifepristone) blocks the hormone progesterone which is needed for the pregnancy to continue. The second drug (Misoprostol) is taken 24-48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract to expel the embryo and other uterine contents.

It is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for use in women with pregnancies up to 70 days (10 weeks) from the start of their last menstrual period. Before a medication abortion, you should be given a physical examination by a physician to determine whether you are a candidate for RU-486, and you should be given an ultrasound to determine viability of your pregnancy and that you are within the gestational dating that RU-486 can be prescribed.

The physical risks and side effects of using these medications vary from woman to woman, and can include mild to severe abdominal pain, cramping, hemorrhaging, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fever, chills, and death.

It is critical that follow up with a physician occurs 7-14 days after taking the first drug to ensure that all of the contents of your uterus have been expelled. If there is anything remaining inside the uterus, it may require a surgical abortion in some cases. This is a potentially serious condition, and this follow up appointment is very important.

It is important to note that the FDA has approved a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS, also called a “black box warning”) for RU-486, meaning this medication carries enough serious safety concerns that the FDA requires that use of the medication’s benefits outweigh the risks of using it. It must be ordered, prescribed, and dispensed by or under the supervision of a healthcare provider who prescribes and who meets certain qualifications.

To learn more about medication abortion, determine your pregnancy’s viability and discuss your options, schedule a free and confidential appointment.

Vacuum Aspiration Abortion (First Trimester – up to approx. 13 weeks LMP)

This surgical abortion procedure is used throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. This procedure is performed by opening the cervix (the opening to the uterus) using Laminaria inserted up to a day before the procedure and/or metal dilating rods of increasing diameter inserted into the cervical os and then removed to assist with stretching the cervix open. A local anesthetic is commonly administered into the cervix prior to the procedure to assist with the discomfort of this process. A suction catheter is then advanced through the cervix and into the uterus. The suction catheter is attached to an electric or manual suction device which is used to suction out the pregnancy and other uterine contents. A curette, which is a sharp metal spoon or loop shaped surgical instrument, is used to scrape any remaining fetal parts or tissues out of the uterus. The removed fetal parts and tissue are then examined to verify completeness of the abortion.

Dilation and Evacuation Abortion (Second Trimester – 13 weeks LMP and up)

This surgical abortion procedure is used throughout the second trimester of a pregnancy. The procedure is performed by opening the cervix (the opening to the uterus) using Laminaria and or/ metal dilating rods of increasing diameter that are inserted into the cervical os and then removed to assist with stretching the cervix open. A local anesthetic is commonly administered into the cervix prior to the procedure to assist with the discomfort of this process. The cervix must be opened much wider for a second trimester abortion, as the fetus is larger in size. Once the amniotic sac is punctured and the fluid surrounding /protecting the fetus has been drained, surgical forceps are then used to grip fetal parts and remove them through the cervix. This is repeated until all of the fetal parts have been removed. A curette, which is a sharp metal spoon or loop shaped surgical instrument, is then used to scrape and remaining tissue or blood clots from the uterus.

The physical risks of both first and second trimester abortions can include: incomplete abortion, infection, heavy bleeding/hemorrhaging, puncturing or tearing the wall of the uterus, injury to the cervix and death.

Dilation and Evacuation Abortion after Viability (23 weeks LMP and up)

This abortion procedure typically takes 2-3 days and is associated with increased risk to the life and health of the mother. A day or two before the abortion is performed; the cervix is prepared with osmotic and/or pharmacologic dilators (Laminaria) to open the cervix. About the same time, a dose of potassium chloride or digoxin is injected into the heart or head of the unborn child in order to avoid the delivery of a fetus who may survive. On the day of the procedure, if further cervical dilation is needed, metal dilating rods of increasing size are inserted and then removed just prior to the procedure. The procedure uses the same technique as the second trimester D&E, dismemberment using forceps (grasping and pulling off limbs with forceps for removal). The brain is usually then removed by suction and the skull crushed for removal. Removed fetal parts are accounted for in order to reduce the chance that anything is left behind to cause complications. The ‘Intact D&E’ is an alternate abortion procedure that pulls the fetus out legs first, and then crushes the skull in order to remove the fetus in one piece.

The physical risks associated with an abortion after viability can include: anesthesia complications, hemorrhaging, emboli, infection, damage to reproductive and abdominal organs, and death.

To learn more about surgical abortion, determine your pregnancy’s viability and discuss your options, schedule a free and confidential appointment.