Surgical abortion involves removing the fetus from the uterus through a surgical procedure to terminate a pregnancy. The method chosen depends on factors such as gestational age, type of pregnancy, and fetal abnormalities.
Comprehensive Care Before and After Surgical Abortion
Proper care is essential before and after a surgical abortion. This includes a physical examination, lab tests, education on the procedure, self-care instructions, guidance on symptoms that may need medical attention, and contraceptive counseling to prevent future unplanned pregnancies.
Surgical Abortion Techniques by Trimester
First Trimester (5 to 12 Weeks):
- Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) uses suction through a small tube to remove tissue from the uterus.
- Machine vacuum aspiration uses an electric pump for suction.
Second Trimester (13 to 24 Weeks):
- Dilation and evacuation (D&E) combines vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C), and surgical instruments to clear the uterus. This method is preferred during the second trimester due to a lower risk of complications compared to induction abortion.
Non-Surgical Abortion in the Second Trimester
Induction abortion terminates a pregnancy in the second trimester using medications to induce contractions, expelling the fetus from the uterus. Women often choose this option when fetal abnormalities are detected.
Choosing Between Medical and Surgical Abortion
Your choice of abortion method depends on your medical history, gestational age, and state regulations. In the U.S., restrictions like mandatory waiting periods or parental consent for minors can limit access. Many women seek alternative methods, such as ordering abortion pills online, to overcome these barriers.
Key Differences Between Medical and Surgical Abortion
Medical abortion is typically chosen for pregnancies up to 9 weeks. It does not require anesthesia and involves moderate to heavy bleeding as part of the process. Surgical abortion, on the other hand, is effective from 5 to 24 weeks, often requires only a single visit, and causes lighter bleeding. Both methods have high success rates, with surgical abortion slightly higher at 99%.
Risks and Considerations
- Medical abortion has a very low risk of complications, with severe infection occurring in only 1 out of 100,000 cases.
- Second-trimester options may be limited due to fetal abnormalities detected during routine screenings.
- Recent studies show no link between abortion and an increased risk of breast cancer, disproving previous concerns.
Why Early Abortion Is Preferable
Medical abortion using FDA-approved pills like Mifepristone and Cytotec is effective up to 9 weeks of gestation. Early abortion options are easier to manage, often completed at home, and involve less physical and emotional strain.
How to Access Abortion Pills Online
For safe and private medical abortion, women can order FDA-approved abortion pills like Cytotec and Mifepristone online. This provides a discreet and effective solution for terminating early pregnancies.