Surgical Abortion

SUCTION ASPIRATION-ALSO KNOWN AS VACUUM ASPIRATION

The Suction Aspiration procedure is the most common abortion performed between 6 and 10 weeks of pregnancy. Vacuum aspiration is approximately 99% effective.

Your uterus will first be examined. You will then be giving medicine for pain. You may be offered sedation — a medicine that allows you to be awake but deeply relaxed.

At the start of the procedure, the woman's cervix is manually dilated by cone shaped rods. Once the cervix has been dilated to the necessary width, a cannula (hollow plastic tube connected by a hose to a suction machine) is inserted through the cervix into the uterus.

The long sharp tip of the cannula is used to scrape the walls of the uterus, dislodging the fetus and placenta. The baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid are sucked through the cannula into a collection jar, killing the baby in the process. The contents of the jar are examined to ensure that all the body parts and placenta have been removed from the woman's uterus.

Sometimes, an instrument called a curette is used to remove any remaining tissue that lines the uterus. It may also be used to check that the uterus is empty. When a curette is used, people often call the abortion a D&C — dilation and curettage.

An aspiration procedure takes about 5 to 10 minutes. But more time may be needed to prepare your cervix. Time is also needed for talking about the procedure, a physical exam, reading and signing forms, and a recovery period of about one hour.

BLEEDING AFTER IN-CLINIC ABORTION PROCEDURES

You may have some bleeding after your abortion. This is normal. You may pass a few clots about the size of a quarter. It’s normal to have

spotting that lasts up to six weeks

heavy bleeding for a few days

bleeding that stops and starts again

It’s OK to use pads or tampons, but using pads makes it easier to keep track of your bleeding. It’s also normal to have no bleeding after an abortion.