Types of Abortions*
There are two categories that abortions fall into – chemical abortion and surgical abortion. Stage of pregnancy and personal health information determine the type of abortion procedure used to end a pregnancy. That’s why an ultrasound is necessary to pinpoint gestational age and ensure a viable pregnancy. A visit with a medical professional is also critical to identify any risk factors. Below is an overview of the most common abortion procedures. We are here to answer any questions you may have and offer you a free pre-abortion screening. Call us today at ___________ or text ___________.
Chemical/Medication Abortion (up to 10 weeks gestation)
Chemical, or medication, abortions now make up more than 40% of all pregnancy terminations. Also known as the abortion pill, self-managed abortion, or RU-486, this method involves taking two pills: mifepristone (RU-486) and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks the uterus from receiving progesterone, which is a hormone necessary to sustain pregnancy. Without the hormone, the lining of the uterus begins to deteriorate and inhibits the transfer of life-sustaining nutrients to the unborn child, causing it to die. Following mifepristone, the woman takes the second drug, misoprostol, 24-48 hours later. This causes the uterus to initiate contractions to expel the fetus and uterine contents11.
Because a chemical abortion is not performed in a medical facility, the woman is responsible for monitoring her body’s response to the medication. As a result, it is imperative that she contact her doctor or seek emergency assistance if complications arise, such as uncontrolled bleeding or intense pain. Since the abortion is completed at home, the woman is also responsible for disposing of the remains.
Recently, the abortion pill has become more easily accessible, usually through a tele-medicine consultation and mail-order prescription. As a result of the overall increase in medication abortions, the FDA says that more than 20 women have died from taking the drug combination12. Research studies also show that chemical abortions are four times more likely to have complications than surgical abortions (5 per 10013), whether due to infection, ectopic pregnancy, septic shock, or the regimen’s ineffectiveness. In fact, up to 7% of self-administered chemical procedures result in incomplete abortions, which then requires the woman to pay for a surgical abortion to fully extract the fetus from the womb14. It is important that the woman seek a follow-up exam and ultrasound to ensure that the abortion was complete.
Surgical Abortion
The type of surgical abortion used is also dependent on the gestational age of the baby and health factors of the mother. Cost for each varies, as well, but generally increases for procedures performed later in pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Women who have multiple surgical abortion procedures may also have more risk of trauma to the cervix15,” which can pose problems for future pregnancies.
D&C – Dilation and Curettage, or Vacuum Aspiration (6-14 weeks gestation)
In this surgical abortion, the cervix is stretched open, or dilated. Next, a tube is attached to a suction machine and inserted into the uterus. The fetus is then suctioned out of the uterus and a tool called a curette is used to scrape any remaining fetal parts or pregnancy tissue from the uterine wall. Though infrequent, complications from a D&C can include uterine perforation, uterine infection, uterine bleeding, or Asherman’s syndrome, all which are treatable if diagnosed early16.
Dilation and Evacuation - (12-24 weeks gestation)
This is the most common abortion method used after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The cervix is slowly stretched open over a period of hours, most often using a substance called laminaria. Next, a numbing agent or general anesthesia is administered to control pain. A suction catheter is then inserted into the uterus to empty the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby17. This is followed by a sopher clamp that the abortionist uses to dismember the body for removal, especially after 16 weeks, as it is too big to be delivered intact. Once the fetus has been extracted, the abortionist uses a curette to scrape the uterus to remove the placenta and any remaining tissue. The body parts of the baby are then collected and reassembled to ensure that nothing was left inside the woman’s uterus18.
The procedure is not without risks. Extreme blood loss, cervical damage, uterine perforation and scarred tissue can all cause complications, both immediately following the abortion and long-term, including future miscarriage and preterm birth. In severe cases, uterine rupture can lead to death. The CDC estimates that the risk of death from a D&E increases by 38% for each additional week of gestation19. There are also studies that indicate the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide is greater for a woman who aborts an unwanted pregnancy than it is for a woman who carries an unwanted pregnancy to term.20
Induction of Labor - (Third Trimester)
Abortions performed after 22 weeks are more involved, as the baby has reached the point of viability, or living outside the womb, if delivered alive. For this reason, abortion by induction of labor is usually done in the hospital. In most cases, the abortionist will take measures to stop the baby’s life prior to induction so that the mother delivers a stillborn child. This is done by injecting a lethal dose of either digoxin or potassium chloride through the abdomen or vagina into the baby’s heart, torso or head. This causes the baby to have fatal cardiac arrest (a heart attack)21.
Following this procedure, the abortionist will prepare for delivery by inserting a substance into the cervix to soften and stretch it. After a time, a second ultrasound may be performed to ensure the baby is no longer living. If still alive, a second dose of digoxin or potassium chloride will be administered. The woman is then injected with medication that initiates contractions, usually either prostaglandin or oxytocin. Because this can take a number of hours, women may return home or to a hotel room to wait until contractions begin, returning to the hospital or clinic to deliver the stillborn child. In some cases, the woman may not have time to make it to the hospital and will deliver the baby where she is, usually talking with a doctor or nurse on the phone and waiting for medical personnel to arrive22.
Labor induction carries with it the slight chance that the baby is born alive, a chance that increases with gestational age. If this happens, the baby may be left unattended to die naturally. If all tissue is not emptied out of the uterus during the labor and delivery process, the walls of the uterus will need to be scraped. In the event the baby is not delivered fully intact, a D&E is likely performed. It should also be noted that studies have listed “induced abortion” as a breast cancer risk factor23.
Hysterotomy/Cesarean Abortion - (Third Trimester)
Also performed after the baby is viable (~22 weeks), a hysterotomy abortion is much like a cesarean section delivery. The abortionist enters the womb via a surgical incision in the woman’s abdominal wall. The primary difference between delivery vs abortion, however, is that, before extracting the baby, the life of the baby is stopped one of two ways: a lethal injection of digoxin or potassium chloride into the baby’s heart, head or torso to cause cardiac arrest; or cutting the umbilical cord to stop the flow of oxygen to the child, causing suffocation. In rare cases, the baby is delivered alive and left unattended to die. Hysterotomy is rare but is the preferred abortion method if the induction method fails or cannot be used for other reasons24.
If you are considering abortion, contact us today for your free pre-abortion screening and consultation.
*NAME OF CENTER does not perform or refer for abortions.