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Manual Vacuum Aspiration
within 7 weeks after LMP
This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy up
until 7 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period. The cervical
muscle is stretched with dilators (metal rods) until the opening is wide
enough to allow the abortion instruments to pass into the uterus. A
hand held syringe is attached to the tubing that is inserted in the uterus
and the fetus is suctioned out.
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Suction Curettage
within 6 to 14 weeks
after LMP
In this procedure, the doctor opens the cervix with a
dilator (a metal rod) or laminaria (thin sticks derived from plants and
inserted several hours before the procedure). The doctor inserts
tubing into the uterus and connects the tubing to a suction machine.
The suctions pulls the fetus' body apart and out of the uterus.
Sometime s the doctor may use a curette, a loop-shaped knife, to scrape the
fetal parts out of the uterus.
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Dilation and Evacuation (D & E)
within 13 to 24 weeks
after LMP
This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester
of pregnancy. Because the developing fetus doubles in size between the
eleventh and twelfth weeks of pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large
to be broken up by suction and will not pass through the suction tubing.
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 fetus' skull is crushed to ease removal.
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Dilation and Extraction (D & X)
from 20 weeks after LMP
to Full-Term
This procedure takes three days. During the first two
days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On
the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor. After
labor begins, the abortion doctor uses ultrasound to locate the baby's legs.
Grasping a leg w/ forceps, the doctor delivers the baby up to the baby's
head. Next, scissors are inserted in the base of the skull to create
an opening. A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove
the skull contents. The skull collapses and the baby is removed.
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RU486, Mifepristone
within 4 to 7 weeks after
LMP
This medical abortion is used for women who are within 30 to
49 days after their last menstrual period. This procedure usually
requires three office visits. The RU 486 or Mifepristone pills are
given to the woman who returns two days later for a second medication called
Misprostol. The combination of these medications causes the uterus to
expel the fetus. |
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