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Surgical Abortion

If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day.

What are the differences between surgical and medical abortions?

 

Surgical abortion

Medical abortion

How it works

·         A doctor will gently open your cervix (the opening to the uterus or womb) with dilators that gradually get bigger.

·         A cannula (straw-like tube) is inserted through the cervix into the uterus.

·         Suction (like a vacuum) is used to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.

·         The procedure usually takes 3-10 minutes.

·         You take two medications. The pregnancy will end and the uterus will push out the tissue (like a miscarriage).

·         The first pill stops the pregnancy. The second pills are taken 24-48 hours (1-2 days) later, at a convenient time for you.

Advantages

•         Very low risk of continuing pregnancy (less than 1 in 100).

•         High success rate (about 99%).

•         Only needs one clinic visit.

•         Procedure is finished within minutes.

•         Sedation can be used if you wish.

•         Can be used early or later in pregnancy.

•         High success rate (95-98%).

•         The pregnancy is expelled (pushed out of the body) within 24 hours of using misoprostol in 90% of women.

•         It is more private, since it is done at home.

•         You can choose to have someone with you for support.

•         Can be used very early in pregnancy.

•         Similar to a natural miscarriage or a heavy menstrual period.

Disadvantages

•         Medical instruments enter the uterus.

•         May feel less private.

•         You can’t have someone with you for support, as partners and loved ones are not allowed in the clinic.

•         Uterine cramping may be very painful.

•         About 2-5% of women will need a uterine aspiration procedure (D&C) after medical abortion.

•         Bleeding after medical abortion may last longer than after uterine aspiration.

•         You may see blood clots and pregnancy tissue.

•         Needs 2 clinic visits.

•         You may not know if the abortion was successful until the follow-up appointment 1-2 weeks later.

•         Risk of continued pregnancy is 1 in 20.

What is a surgical abortion?

A surgical abortion uses suction to remove pregnancy tissue during a very short procedure, as described in the table above.

Am I eligible for a surgical abortion?

A surgical abortion may be performed if your pregnancy is up to 15 weeks and 6 days from the first day of your last menstrual period.

What happens during a surgical abortion?

If your pregnancy is between 6 to 12 weeks:

  • The doctor will gently open your cervix (the opening to the uterus or womb) with dilators that gradually get bigger.
  • Once the cervix is open, the doctor will insert a hollow straw-like tube (called a cannula) which is attached to an aspirator. This machine uses gentle suction (like a vacuum) to clean out the contents of the uterus, including the fetus and placenta.
  • The doctor will then use a spoon-shaped instrument (called a curette) to check the walls of the uterus for any tissue that may remain. The procedure takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

If your pregnancy is between 13 weeks to 15 weeks and 6 days:

  • You will be given a medication called misoprostol before the procedure. Misoprostol softens the cervix and makes dilation (opening the cervix) easier.
  • Misoprostol takes 1½-2 hours to work. After this, you will have the procedure described above, which will last about 5-15 minutes.

What are the possible risks?

  • Infection may occur in 0.1-2% of cases. You will be given antibiotics to help prevent this.
  • There is a very low risk (less than 1 in 1000) of:
    • injury to your uterus
    • remaining tissue requiring a second aspiration
    • excessive bleeding

Looking for more health information?

Nova Scotia Women’s Choice Clinic
Tel: 1-833-352-0719
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(Callers may also leave a message at any time and a nurse will return the call during these hours.)

Nova Scotia Health Authority, Library Services
http://library.nshealth.ca/PatientGuides

This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, contact your primary healthcare provider.

Copyright (c): Nova Scotia Health Authority

www.nshealth.ca

Prepared by: TPU staff ©

Designed by: NSHA Library Services

TeleHealth - Reviewed by Clinical Services Working group, November 2019

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