Abortion Information

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Non-surgical or “Medical” Abortions

RU-486
Mifeprex (RU-486), or “the abortion pill,” is used in one type of non-surgical abortion. Mifeprex blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for the pregnancy to continue. When used together with another medication called misoprostol (Cytotec), Mifeprex ends the pregnancy. This abortion procedure can only be used in early pregnancy, usually up to 7 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period, but sometimes up to nine weeks after the last period. You must be able to attend all visits required and have access to an emergency room for this abortion.

Possible side effects and risks include:

• cramping
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• warmth or chills
• headache
• dizziness
• heavy bleeding or hemorrhage

You may need to have a surgical abortion if the medical abortion fails.

Methotrexate
Another type of non-surgical abortion uses Methotrexate and Misoprostol. Methotrexate is usually given in an injection to end the pregnancy. Misoprostol tablets are taken by mouth three days later to begin contractions and expulsion of the embryo. Heavy bleeding begins several hours or days after taking the Misoprostol.

To schedule an appointment at one of our three locations or to learn more about your options, click here or call us.

Surgical Abortions

Vacuum Aspiration - (early first trimester)
This surgical abortion is done by inserting a series of dilators (metal rods) into the cervix to open it. A plastic tube is then inserted through the cervix and into the uterus, and suction pulls the fetus out of the uterus.

Dilatation and Curettage (D&C), with Vacuum Aspiration - (later first trimester)
This surgical abortion is also done by inserting a series of dilators (metal rods) into the cervix to open it.  A curette, or loop shaped knife, may be used to scrape fetal parts and placenta from the wall of the uterus. A plastic tube, attached to a suction machine, is then inserted through the cervix and into the uterus. Suction then pulls the fetal parts and placenta out of the uterus.

Dilatation and Evacuation (D&E) - (second trimester or late term abortion)
This abortion procedure is used in the second trimester, from 13 or 14 weeks until 24 weeks of pregnancy. The cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion, so laminaria (matchstick-sized pieces of seaweed, or artificial seaweed) are often inserted into the cervix to dilate it. Insertion of laminaria is usually done 1-2 days before the abortion is performed. 

On the day of the procedure, the laminaria are removed, followed by the removal of fetal and placental parts by means of forceps or other instruments. After 16 weeks, this procedure must be done in a licensed ambulatory surgery center, and general anesthesia is often used.

Possible side effects and risks include:

• perforation of the uterus (a hole in the uterus)
• cervical laceration (a torn cervix)
• hemorrhage (heavy bleeding)
• infection
• complications from the anesthesia, including nausea and vomiting, headaches, respiratory problems
• incomplete removal of the fetus or placenta requiring another surgery
• infertility
• the need for a hysterectomy
• rarely, death

Long-term complications include:

• Guilt and personality disturbances
• In future desired pregnancies: Miscarriage or premature delivery due to cervical damage
• Tubal Pregnancies

Dilatation and Extraction (D&X), also know as “Partial Birth Abortion”
This abortion procedure was used in the second or third trimester until the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act (HR 760, S. 3) was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2003. This ban on D&X abortions was challenged in federal district courts, and eventually was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2007 by a decision of 5-4. 

Under this law, "Any physician who, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly performs a partial-birth abortion and thereby kills a human fetus shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both."

To schedule an appointment at one of our three locations or to learn more about your options, click here or call us.