Abortion Procedures

Suction Aspiration or Vacuum Aspiration

Quick Facts

Gestational Age: 6-12 weeks after last menstrual period
Cost: $600-$1000

Procedure

Patient lies on her back with feet in stirrups and a speculum is inserted to open the vagina.
A local anesthetic is administered to her cervix. Then, a tenaculum (a slender sharp pointed hook attached to a handle, mainly used in surgery for seizing and holding parts) is used to hold the cervix in place for the cervix to be dilated by cone shaped rods.
When the cervix is wide enough, a cannula (a long plastic tube connected to a suction device) is inserted into the uterus to suction out the baby and placenta.
The procedure usually lasts 10-15 minutes, but recovery may require staying at the clinic for a few hours.

Risks and Side Effects

Cramping, nausea, sweating, and feeling faint.
Less frequent side effects include possible heavy or prolonged bleeding, blood clots, damage to the cervix and perforation of the uterus.
Infection due to retained remains of the baby and related tissues, an STD, or bacteria being introduced to the uterus, can cause fever, pain, abdominal tenderness, scarring, infertility and in some cases, death.

Fetal Development Weeks 9-12

The following describes some of the developmental steps of the baby during the time frame when a woman is eligible for a vacuum abortion.

Upper lip, teeth, fingers and ears begin to form
Toes and genitals are forming
Baby can make a fist
Baby has permanent fingerprints
Baby starts to produce urine
All organs are functioning by week 12

There are two abortion procedures commonly used in the second trimester: the D&C and the D&E.

D&C: Dilation & Curettage

Suction Aspiration or Vacuum Aspiration

Quick Facts

Gestational Age: 12-15 weeks after last menstrual period
Cost: $850-$1600

Procedure

Suction aspiration can be used up to 15 weeks. In the second trimester a D&C procedure is typically also required, which uses a curette: a long, looped shaped knife that scrapes the lining, placenta, and baby away from the uterus.
This procedure usually lasts 10 minutes, with a possible stay of 5 hours.

Risks and Side Effects

Nausea, bleeding and cramping may occur for two weeks following the procedure
Infection due to retained remains of the baby and related tissues, an STD, or bacteria, can cause fever, pain, abdominal tenderness, scarring, and in some cases, death.

Fetal Development Weeks 13-16

The following describes some of the developmental steps of the baby during the time frame when a woman is eligible for a D&C abortion.

Baby flexes, kicks and begins sucking thumb
Skin begins to form
Facial expressions are possible

D&E: Dilation & Evacuation

Quick Facts

Gestational Age: More than 15 weeks after last menstrual period
Cost: $1500-$2100

Procedure

In most cases, 24 hours prior to the actual procedure, the abortion provider will insert laminaria or a synthetic dilator inside the cervix.
Cone-shaped rods of increasing size are used to continue the dilation process.
The cannula is inserted to begin removing tissue away from the lining. Then using a curette, the lining is scraped to remove any residuals.
If needed, forceps may be used to remove larger parts.
The procedure normally takes about 30 minutes.

Risks and Side Effects

The risks and side effects for a D&E are the same as those of a D&C, but more severe. Most D&E procedures are performed in a hospital setting due to the increased risks of severe complications. Although rare, additional risks related to D&E are damage to the uterine lining or cervix, perforation of the uterus, infertility, infection, and blood clots.

Fetal Development Weeks 17-21

The following describes some of the developmental steps of the baby during the time frame when a woman is eligible for a D&E abortion.

Hearing begins to develop
Eyebrows and eyelashes grow in
Mother feels baby’s movements more strongly

“Given the anatomical evidence, it is possible that the fetus can feel pain from 20 weeks and is caused distress by interventions from as early as 15 or 16 weeks.”¹

Medically Reviewed By:

Tessa Renaud, LPN

Staff Nurse Practitioner, Baton Rouge

1 Jones, R., Ingerick, M., Jerman, J. (2018). Differences in Abortion Service Delivery in Hostile, Middle-ground, and Supportive States in 2014. Women’s Health Iss; 28(3): 212–218.

2 Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. How do I get the abortion pill? Retrieved June 2019 from PlannedParenthood.org.

3 CompassCare Pregnancy Services. “Can I Buy the Abortion Pill Online?” Retrieved from CompassCare.info on 06/04/19.

Abortion Procedures