Abortion Procedures:

Abortion Procedures are deliberate inductions of a miscarriage. All surgery carries a degree of risk. Some of the complications of abortion can include infection, damage to parts of the reproductive system, and excessive bleeding.

Abortion procedures used during the first trimester:

In most cases, there is a choice between medical or surgical abortion procedures during the first trimester. Medical abortions are available up to nine weeks gestation. Abortion procedures performed during the first trimester are:

• Methotrexate & Misoprostol (MTX): A medical abortion procedure used up to the first seven weeks of pregnancy.
• Mifepristone and Misoprostol: A medical abortion procedure used up to the first seven to nine weeks of pregnancy. It is also referred to as RU-486, the abortion pill and Mifeprex.
• Suction Aspiration: A surgical abortion procedure used to terminate pregnancy between 6 to 12 weeks gestation. It is also referred to as suction curettage or vacuum aspiration.

Abortion procedures used during the second trimester:

Medication-based abortion procedures are not an option during the second trimester. Abortion procedures performed during the second trimester are:

• Dilation & Curettage (D & C): A surgical abortion procedure used to terminate a pregnancy between 13 to 15 weeks gestation. Also referred to as suction curettage or vacuum aspiration.
• Dilation & Evacuation (D & E): A surgical abortion procedure used to terminate a pregnancy between 15 to 21 weeks gestation.
• Induction Abortion: A rare surgical procedure where salt water, urea, or potassium chloride is injected into the amniotic sac; prostaglandins are inserted into the vagina and Pitocin is injected intravenously.

Abortion procedures used during the third trimester:

Medication-based abortion procedures are not an option during the third trimester. Abortion procedures performed during the third trimester are:

• Induction Abortion: A rare surgical procedure where salt water, urea, or potassium chloride is injected into the amniotic sac; prostaglandins are inserted into the vagina and Pitocin is injected intravenously.
• Dilation and Extraction: A surgical abortion procedure used to terminate a pregnancy after 21 weeks of gestation. This procedure is also known as D & X, Intact D & X, Intrauterine Cranial Decompression and Partial Birth Abortion.