Before 14 weeks
Suction Aspiration
RU-486--The Abortion Pill
Dilation & Curettage [D&C]
After 14 Weeks
Dilation___Evacuation__D_E_Dilation & Evacuation [D&E]
After 24 Weeks
Dilation & Evacuation [D&E] (#2)
Dilation & Extraction [D&X]
This type of abortion begins with the woman laying on her back on a surgical table and placing her feet in stirrups. A pain medicaton is administered to the cervix. Next, a cone shaped rod is inserted into the cervix so the cervical muscles stretch to allow the abortion instruments to pass into the uterus. Through this opening, a suction tube is placed inside the uterus. A doctor guides the suction device around the uterus, suctioning the small fetal parts out through a tube. During this procedure, the doctor must operate by touch alone, because there is no way for him to see inside the uterus.
The abortion pill is administered to a woman only in the 6th to 9th week after her last period. Abortion administered by RU 486 may require between one and three doctor visits.
Visit 1-- During the first visit, the doctor will do an intake and history and then administer an oral or injected dose of mifepristone, RU 486. Mifepristone causes the body to react as if the woman were experiencing menstruation.
Visit 2-- The second visit follows two days later. On this visit, another chemical, either cytotec or misoprostol, is administered. This drug causes the cervix to dilate and uterus to contract, as if the woman were expereinceing labor. Most of the time, the fetus, fetal tissue, and blood will exit throught the vagina within four hours. The abortion pill ends 65-80% of all pregnancies.
Visit 3-- A third follow-up visit occurs 12 days after the second injecton. During this visit, the doctor performs another exam to determine if the abortion worked. Studies reveal that 8% of women are still pregnant after using RU 486. In this case, the woman may choose another surgical abortion or to carry to term.
This type of abortion also begins with the woman laying on her back on a surgical table and placing her feet in stirrups. Then a pain medication is administered to the cervix. Next, a cone shaped rod is inserted into the cervix, to stretch the cervical muscles to allow the abortion instruments to pass into the uterus. Through this opening a loop-shaped knife is placed inside the uterus. A doctor guides the loop-shaped knife around the uterus, detaching the fetus from the wall of the uterus and cutting it into small pieces that are then scraped out. This type of abortion is performed less often than Suction Curettage because it requires more time and has a higher risk of damage to the uterus.
This type of abortion begins with the insertion of laminaria, a type of seaweed that expands when damp, into the cervix. Over two days, the laminaria will slowly open the cervix wide enough to allow the abortion instruments to pass into the uterus. In this type of abortion, the fetus' spine is broken and the skull is crushed. Then the doctor uses a surgical tool that resembles pliers to pull the fetus into pieces small enough to exit through the cervix. The entire procedure is administered by touch, and there is a high risk of damage to the reproductive organs.
This procedure takes place over 3 days, the first phase involves several days of laminaria applications. (Laminaria are thin sticks like matchsticks made of plant products that expand with moisture.) Rods are used to dilate the cervix larger. Medication may be needed for cramping. A drug may be administered to stop the baby's heart. On the third day, prostaglandins are given to start labor. Once labor begins, ultrasound is used to locate the baby. Using forceps the baby is pulled from the uterus. Afterward suction or a curette is used to remove the placenta and remaining parts of the baby.
This procedure is more commonly known as partial birth abortion. It begins with the insertion of laminaria, a type of seaweed that expands when damp, into the cervix. Over 2 days the laminaria expand, opening a pathway into the uterus. Then a drug, pitocin, is injected to induce labor. Next, the doctor reaches in to grab the fetus' leg and pulls until only the head remains inside. A cut is made at the base of the fetus' skull and the brain is suctioned out. Then the head collapses and the fetus is removed. Finally, the doctor uses forceps to remove the placenta and a loop shaped knife to scrape the uterine walls.
Copyright © 2009 Pregnancy Crisis Center of Wichita, Inc.