SAFEABORT.ORG
SURGICAL ABORTION
Overview
Surgeries are performed to end a pregnancy. Surgical abortions are typically minimally invasive and can be performed in a clinic or hospital setting. They usually take 5-10 minutes and are completed using vacuum aspiration. Surgical abortion is usually an option for people who are further along in their pregnancy compared to medical abortions, which are taken at home. The availability of this procedure depends on local laws and the policies of the medical facility.
Reason To choose Surgical Over Medical Abortion
People may opt for surgical abortion over medical abortion for several reasons.
- One of the main factors is gestational age. If the pregnancy has advanced beyond 11 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period, medical abortion may not be as effective.
- In terms of procedure time, surgical abortions are typically completed within a few hours at the clinic, while medical abortions can take up to 24 hours to complete.
- Another factor to consider is the presence of medical staff. Some individuals prefer to have their abortion procedure supervised by doctors and nurses rather than performing it at home. After a surgical abortion, the doctor examines the uterus to confirm that the procedure is complete, providing added reassurance.
- Finally, those with certain health conditions, such as bleeding disorders, may feel more secure having their abortion procedure performed in a hospital setting with access to medical staff. These health conditions may also play a role in the decision to choose surgical over medical abortion.
How Are They Different
Surgical abortion involves removing the contents of the uterus through gentle suction, which is highly effective (over 99%) and can be repeated if necessary. On the other hand, medical abortion involves taking a combination of pills to end the pregnancy and expel the uterus contents. The abortion pill has an effectiveness rate of 94-96% for early pregnancy (9 weeks or less), with a slight decrease in effectiveness for later stages, but the dose can be adjusted if needed. If a medical abortion is not successful, it can be finished with a surgical procedure.
PREPARATION
Before your procedure begins, a doctor or nurse may give you some medication to help with cramping. They may also give you medication to help open your cervix, the passageway between your vagina and your uterus.
Sometimes, doctors insert small dilators into the cervix a few hours before your procedure, or even the day before. These dilators absorb fluid from your body. As they slowly grow bigger, they stretch open your cervix.
Before your procedure begins, you will typically be offered light sedation. Depending on the type of sedation the doctor uses, you might feel sleepy and calm but remain awake, or you might fall completely asleep.
THE PROCEDURE
Vacuum aspiration, the most common type of abortion, takes 5 to 10 minutes. During the procedure, the doctor and nurse will
- examine the uterus,
- insert a speculum,
- numb the cervix with medication,
- dilate the cervix,
- insert a tube into the uterus,
- and use suction to remove pregnancy tissue.
Cramping may occur during the procedure but usually decreases once the tube is removed. The doctor will check the uterus to ensure it’s empty and the patient will rest in a recovery area after the procedure. If it’s been more than 16 weeks since the last period, a modified procedure called dilation and evacuation (D&E) may be performed, which involves stronger suction and additional surgical tools to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
POST SURGICAL ABORTION
It’s recommended to take it slow on the day of an abortion. While some people are able to return to their regular activities (excluding heavy lifting) the next day, others may need more time to recover. Mild to moderate cramps similar to menstrual cramps can be experienced for a few days following the procedure.
In terms of bleeding, not all individuals will experience it, but for those who do, it can range from heavy bleeding resembling a period, to spotting, to a combination of both. In some cases, the spotting may continue for several weeks. If you experience excessively heavy bleeding that requires changing two pads an hour for at least 2 consecutive hours, it’s essential to seek medical assistance immediately.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations for aftercare. They will provide you with a detailed explanation of what to expect in the days following the procedure and may prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers or antibiotics to help manage cramping and prevent infections respectively. It’s vital to complete the entire course of antibiotics, even if you feel fine, to ensure maximum effectiveness.
In some cases, your doctor may advise a follow-up appointment a few weeks after your abortion to assess your recovery progress and ensure that everything is healing as expected. Taking care of yourself during this time is crucial, so be sure to listen to your body and give yourself time to rest and recover.
Potential risks and complications
Surgical abortions are considered safe procedures, with rare occurrences of complications. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is a level of risk involved. The following are some of the potential complications associated with surgical abortions:
- Infection
- Cervical tears or lacerations
- Uterine perforation
- Bleeding
- Retained pregnancy tissue
- Allergic or adverse reactions to medications
It’s essential to understand that while these potential complications are serious, they are also uncommon. Your doctor will review all the risks and benefits with you and answer any questions you may have prior to the procedure to help you make an informed decision.
contact@safeaboret.org
Phone
0103098760
Phone
Westlands Arcade