Abortion Procedures

Morning After Pill (MAP): within 72 hours of sexual intercourse

Also known as "Emergency Contraception," a woman is given two doses of  pills after taking a pregnancy test to determine if she is pregnant from the month before cycle.  The pregnancy test must be negative in order to proceed.  The first dose is taken within 72 hours of intercourse followed by a second dose 12 hours later.this procedure consists of a pregnancy test and two doses of pills. If conception has occured within 72 hours prior to taking the pills, the fetus is expelled.  This is an early termination. 

RU486, Mifepristone: (4 to 7 weeks)

This chemical abortion, also known as the "Abortion Pill", occurs over several days.  It normally requires 3 office visits.  The woman is given the RU486 (mifepristone pills) on her first visit.  She returns two days later for a second medication which is called misoprostol.  Taking the combination of these medications causes the uterus to expel the fetus.

Manual Vacuum Aspiration: (within 7 weeks)

This is a surgical abortion that is done within 7 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period.  After the cervical muscle has been stretch with dilators (metal rods), a syringe is attached to tubine and inserted into the uterus.  The fetus is suctioned out.

Suction Curettage: (6 to 14 weeks)

The doctor opens the cervix with a metal rod called a dilator or a thin sticks that has been inserted hours before the procedure (laminaria).  This is a medical procedure where the doctor inserts tubing into the uterus that is connected to a suction machine.  The suction is so strong that it pulls the fetus' body out of the uterus normally in pieces.  There is a variation of this method called Dilation and Curettage (D&C).  It is similar to the suction procedure except that a curette (loop-shaped knife)  is inserted into the uterus and scrapes the fetal parts out of the uterus.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): (13 to 24 weeks)

This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. The cervix must be dilated before this abortion.  In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. This is done by inserting laminaria a day or two before the abortion. After opening the cervix, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The final part, the fetus' skull, is then crushed and pulled out.

Dilation and Extraction (D&X): (20 weeks to Full Term pregnancy)

This medical procedure is also known as Partial-birth Abortion.  This procedure takes three days. For two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor. The abortion doctor uses ultrasound to identify how the baby's body is facing in the womb.  The doctor then positions the baby feet first, face down (breech position).  The baby's body is then pulled out of the birth canal except for the head.  Scissors are inserted into the base of the skull and an opening is created.  A suction catheter is inserted into the baby's skull to remove its contents.  The skull collapses and the baby's head passes through the cervix where the baby is removed.