1st Trimester Medical/Chemical Abortion
Abortion pills for up to 10 weeks of pregnancy or less
Abortion Methods as describe by OB/GYN Dr. Anthony Levatino
Abortion Pill and Mifepristone
Approximately 4 to 7 weeks after the start of the LMP (Last Menstrual Period) This drug is only approved for women up to the 49th day after the start of their last menstrual period. The procedure usually requires three office visits. On the first visit, the woman is given pills that cause the death of the embryo. Two days later, if the abortion has not occurred, she is given a second drug which induces something similar to contractions, causing the body to expel the embryo. The last visit is to determine if the procedure has been completed.
The abortion pill will not work in the case of an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is a potentially life-threatening condition in which the embryo lodges outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. If not diagnosed early, the tube may burst, causing internal bleeding and in some cases, the death of the woman. Unfortunately, many women are being instructed to use the abortion pill in a manner not approved by the FDA. This includes using it beyond 49 days of pregnancy and using it vaginally. A number of women who have used the abortion pill have died due to sepsis (full body infection).
If you have started a Chemical Abortion and you have changed your mind an Abortion Pill Reversal can be done within 48 hours of taking the first Mifepristone.
1st Trimester Surgical Abortions
Suction (Aspiration) D & C for 5-10 weeks of pregnancy
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) Approximately 13 to 24 weeks after LMP
First trimester surgical abortions are performed between 6 and 12 weeks. As opposed to a medical abortion performed with drugs, a surgical abortion requires a surgical procedure. See below for a detailed description.
Dilitation and Curettage Approximately 7 to 12 weeks after LMP This surgical abortion is done early in the pregnancy, up until 12 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period. The cervix is dilated, the curettage tool is inserted and the developing fetus is “scraped” out from the uterus. Suction Curettage Approximately 6 to 14 weeks after LMP. This is the most common surgical abortion procedure. Because the fetus is larger, the doctor must first stretch open the cervix using metal rods. Opening the cervix may be painful, so local or general anesthesia is typically needed. After the cervix is stretched open, the doctor inserts a hard plastic tube into the uterus, and then connects this tube to a suction machine. The suction pulls the fetus’ body apart and out of the uterus. The doctor may also use a loop-shaped knife called a curette to scrape the fetus and fetal parts out of the uterus. The doctor may refer to the fetus and fetal parts as the “products of conception.”
2nd Trimester Surgical Abortions
Surgical abortions during the second trimester performed between 12 and 24 weeks. See below for more information.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) Approximately 13 to 24 weeks after LMP
This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy. At this point in the pregnancy, the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction alone 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 numerous thin rods made of seaweed (called laminaria) a day or two before the abortion. Once the cervix is stretched open the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus’ skull is crushed to ease removal. A sharp tool (called a curette) is also used to scrape out the contents of the uterus, removing any remaining tissue.
3rd Trimester Surgical Abortions
Surgical abortions performed in the third trimester occur after 24 weeks up until full term. See below for more information.
