Abortion method: Vacuum Aspiration

• Local anesthetic is applied or injected into or near the cervix to prevent pain.
• Opening of the cervix is gradually stretched. This is done by the insertion of a series of dilators, each one thicker than the previous one, into the opening of the cervix. The thickest dilator used is about the width of a fountain pen.
• After the opening is stretched, a clear plastic tube is inserted into the uterus and attached to a suction system. The fetus and placenta are then removed.
• After the tube has been removed, a spoon-like instrument, called a curette may be used to gently scrape the walls of the uterus to be sure it has been completely emptied of the pregnancy.

Immediate Medical Risks

• Blood clots in the uterus
• Heavy bleeding
• Cut or torn cervix
• Perforation of the wall of the uterus
• Pelvic infection
• Incomplete abortion
• Anesthesia-related complications

Abortion method: Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

• Sponge-like tapered pieces of absorbent material are placed into the cervix. This material becomes moist and slowly opens the cervix.
• Sponge-like material will remain in place for several hours or overnight.
• A second or third application of the material may be necessary.
• Intravenous medications may be given to ease pain and prevent infection.
• After a local or general anesthesia is given, the fetus and placenta are removed from the uterus with medical instruments such as forceps and suction curettage. Occasionally for removal, it will be necessary to dismember the fetus.

Medical Risks

• Blood clots in the uterus
• Heavy bleeding
• Cut or torn uterus
• Perforation of the wall of the uterus
• Pelvic infection
• Incomplete abortion
• Anesthesia-related complications

Abortion method: Labor Induction

• Labor induction may require a hospital stay
• Medicine is given to start labor in one of two ways: medicine is placed in the cervix, directly into the woman’s vein or by inserting a needle through the mother’s abdomen into the amniotic sac (bag of waters).
• Labor will usually begin in 2-4 hours.
• If the afterbirth (placenta) is not completely removed during labor induction, the doctor must open the cervix and use suction curettage.

Immediate Medical Risks

• Labor induction abortion carries the highest risk for problems, such as infection and heavy bleeding.
• When medicines are used to start labor, there is a risk of rupture of the uterus.
• Other immediate medical risks may include the following: blood clots in the uterus, heavy bleeding, cut or torn cervix, perforation of the wall of the uterus, perlvic infection, incomplete abortion, anesthesia-related complications.
• Possible long-term medical risks are discussed on page 17* of “If You Are Pregnant” by Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

If the labor induction method is used, there is a small chance that a baby could live for a short period of time. (See “What if the fetus is determined to be viable?” p. 15 of“If You Are Pregnant” by Kansas Department of Health and Environment.)