Abortion - surgical

Alternative Names: Suction curettage; Surgical abortion; Elective abortion - surgical; Therapeutic abortion - surgical

A surgical abortion is a procedure that ends a pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the mother's womb (uterus).

There are different types of surgical abortion.

Sometimes the woman needs the procedure for a health reason. This is called a therapeutic abortion.

Other times, she chooses (elects) to end the pregnancy. This is called an elective abortion.

See also: Miscarriage

Description of Procedure

A surgical abortion uses a vacuum to remove the fetus and related material from a woman's uterus (womb). The procedure is usually done 6 weeks after the woman's last menstrual period

You may receive medicine (sedative) to help you relax and feel sleepy. The doctor may numb the cervix so you feel little pain during the procedure.

If the surgical abortion is done after 12 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor must first open (dilate) the cervical canal. Small sticks called laminaria are placed into the cervix to help it open. Sometimes, this is done a day or two before the actual abortion procedure. Next, the doctor inserts a hollow tube into the womb before using the vacuum to remove the pregnancy-related tissues from the womb.

Medicines may be given to help the uterine muscles contract. This reduces bleeding.

Risks of Abortion - surgical

Risks of surgical abortion include:

• Damage to the womb or cervix
• Emotional or psychological distress
• Excessive bleeding
• infection of the uterus or fallopian tubes

The risks of surgical abortion increase as a woman gets further along in her pregnancy. That's why it's important to make a decision about abortion as early as possible, when the procedure is safest.

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

The risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Call your health care provider if you have had a surgical abortion and you have:

• Excessive vaginal bleeding (may lead to shock)
• Continued pain or pregnancy symptoms (possible sign of ectopic pregnancy)
• Signs of infection, including persistent fever, vaginal drainage with a foul odor, vaginal drainage that looks like pus, or abdominal pain or tenderness

Abortion procedure

Review Date: 11/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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