If you are considering an abortion, you should be well informed about all aspects of an abortion.  Abortion is a surgical procedure with risks to the mother.  A woman should also consider that miscarriage, or natural loss of the pregnancy, is very common.  According the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), an estimated 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will naturally end in a miscarriage.  RealOptions offers diagnostic ultrasound for every positive pregnancy test to confirm a viable (developing), intrauterine (in the uterus) pregnancy.

If you would like to speak to someone regarding your options, abortions and alternatives, please contact us to make an appointment.  We provide free and confidential services to insure that you have all the information when making your decision to have an abortion, however we do not refer for or provide abortions at our centers. 

Medical Abortion

Surgical Abortion

Anesthesia Option

Choosing an Abortion Provider

There are 2 categories of abortions, Medical and Surgical.

Medical Abortion

A medical abortion causes the termination of a pregnancy by using a combination of medications.  Medical abortions have been called RU-486, mifepritsone, and are currently marketed as Mifeprex.  The protocol approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows this type of abortion up to 49 days after the last menstrual period.  It is usually used up to seven weeks but sometimes up to nine weeks from the last menstrual period.  Medical abortions generally take 2-3 doctors visits to complete.

The current regimen approved by the FDA is as follows:

• Day One: Mifeprex Administration: 3 tablets of 200 mg of Mifeprex orally at once

This initial oral dose causes a blockage of progesterone, a hormone needed for the fetus to grow and develop.

• Day Three: Misoprostol Administration: 2 tablets of 200 mcg of misoprostol orally at once.

This dose of misoprostol causes cramping and uterine contractions to empty the uterus.

It normally takes 6-24 hours after this dose for the abortion to complete.

• Day 14: Post-Treatment: The patient must return to medical provider to confirm that a complete termination has occurred.  If not, surgical termination is recommended to manage medical abortion treatment failures and prevent complications such as excessive bleeding or infection.

Bleeding may occur for weeks after a medical abortion.  Please be advised to follow doctor’s instructions regarding amount of bleeding.  Medical attention may become necessary.

back to top

Surgical Abortion

Suction Aspiration (also called Manual or Machine Vacuum Aspiration)

This method is used early in the first trimester. The cervix is stretched open with dilator(s) (metal rods). A numbing agent is used and a hollow plastic tube is inserted into the uterus. The fetus and the remaining contents of the uterus are removed using a handheld or machine suction device.  The procedure itself generally takes about 15 minutes. Sometimes a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure is necessary after a vacuum aspiration if all of the tissue has not been removed.

This is a surgical procedure usually used in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.  The doctor normally opens the cervix with dilators (metal rods) and then empties the uterus with a hollow plastic instrument connected by tubing to a suction machine.  After suctioning, the doctor may scrape the walls of the uterus with a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to ensure the fetus, placenta, and contents of the uterus have been completely removed.

This surgical procedure is generally performed from 13-24 weeks of pregnancy. The doctor must first insert laminaria sticks into the cervix for 1-2 days to start the dilating process. These dried seaweed sticks absorb moisture and expand, causing the cervix to enlarge. On the day of the procedure, the physician will use dilating rods to further enlarge the cervical opening. Then the fetus is dismembered and removed with forceps, along with the placenta and other tissue. A curette may then be used to scrape the uterus to make sure that all tissue has been removed.

This procedure takes three days.  During the first two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping.  On the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor.  After labor begins, the doctor doing the abortion procedure uses ultrasound to locate the positioning of the fetus.  Using forceps, the fetus is delivered up to the head.  Next, scissors are inserted into the skull to create an opening.  A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the skull contents.  The skull collapses and the fetus is removed.

back to top

Anesthesia Options

Three options are available for pain relief during a surgical abortion:

1. Local anesthesia: A local anesthetic is injected into the cervix to cause a numbing effect before dilation.
2. Local anesthesia with sedation: Along with a local anesthetic injected into the cervix, a medication is given to help the woman relax or become “sleepy” during the procedure.
3. General anesthesia: Anesthetic medications are given intravenously to cause the woman to be “asleep”, completely unaware of her surroundings.. 

back to top

Choosing an Abortion Provider

If you choose abortion, there are several things to consider.  It is not a risk-free procedure and needs to be treated seriously.  To ensure a woman’s health and safety, there are several very important questions to ask an abortion provider.

Am I going to a licensed medical clinic?

What are my legal rights? 

To receive more information on patients rights, you may contact our professional and medical staff at one of our medical clinics for a confidential consultation.  Your personal health is important.

Is the person performing the procedure a licensed OB/GYN physician?

Ask to speak with the physician before the procedure regarding anesthesia choices, how the procedure is done, and the possible complications.

If you would like to speak to someone regarding your options, abortions and alternatives, please contact us to make an appointment.  We provide free and confidential services, including pregnancy tests and diagnostic ultrasounds, which diagnose viable pregnancy and to insure that you have all the information when making your decision to have an abortion, however we do not refer for or provide abortions at our centers.

(back to top)

Please note, the information listed here is for educational purposed only.  See a health care provider to diagnose pregnancy and discuss your risk.

Sources
1.  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Induced Abortion, 2001.

2.  Warren Hern, Abortion Practice, 1990, Philadelphia: J.P. Lippincott Company

3.  US Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/ucm111323.htm

RealOptions provides peer counsel and accurate information on all pregnancy options; however we do not provide or refer for abortions.