Abortion - elective or therapeutic

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Early weeks of pregnancy

First trimester of pregnancy

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

Therapeutic abortion; Elective abortion

Elective abortions that take place between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation involve dilating the cervix and removing the contents of the uterus by suctioning the inner walls of the uterus.

In 2000, the FDA approved the medication mifepristone as an alternative to surgical abortion in the United States. Other medications that have been available to terminate an early pregnancy include methotrexate, misoprostol, or a combination of these medications. Most women who use medication do so because of a desire to avoid anesthesia and surgery.

Side effects of medication may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, warmth or chills, headache, more visits to the doctor’s office, prolonged vaginal bleeding, and more aware of cramping than with surgical abortion. With medication, passage of the products of conception most likely will occur at home, but some women may still require a surgical procedure to complete the abortion.

Prior to an elective abortion, your provider will assess your blood type. After this test, if your blood is Rh negative, you may receive Rh-immune globulin (RhoGAM) to avoid Rh incompatibility in future pregnancies.

Legally performed abortions are relatively safe. Complications rarely occur.

Excessive loss of blood, uterine perforation and infection, and an incomplete abortion are the most frequent complications. These complications are rare when the procedure is performed by a competent provider in an adequate facility.

Teenagers may not be aware that they are pregnant until the second trimester and could increase the danger to their own lives with second trimester abortions. Infection resulting from the procedure occurs most commonly in women who have a preexisting gonorrheal or chlamydial infection.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if an unplanned pregnancy occurs and you want information about the choice of elective abortion.