How safe is a medical abortion at home?

One of the safest non-invasive procedures to end a pregnancy is a medical abortion at home. The success rate of medication pregnancy termination is between 95% and 99% when you take the abortion pills as advised by a physician.

How long does bleeding last after a medical abortion?

During the medication abortion, the bleeding continues heavily as the uterus is expelling the pregnancy. It reduces in amount and thickness once the womb is vacant. However, the light bleeding may continue for 4 to 8 weeks, but should not be confused with menstruation.

How far along into the pregnancy can I take abortion pills?

You can take the abortion pills until 10 weeks of gestation. Count the pregnancy weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. Or, get a pregnancy test through an ultrasound scan to understand the pregnancy location and weeks. Do not use the medicine beyond 12 weeks at the most.

Is medical abortion painful?

There is some amount of pain caused during a medical abortion because of the uterine contractions. You will encounter abdominal cramps and pain. However, you may take a pain-relief medicine (not aspirin, as it increases bleeding) to control the pain. Apply a hot water bag or a heating pad for more relief.

When to avoid taking abortion pills?

In certain circumstances, pregnancy termination pills are not appropriate. These include if you are on long-term corticosteroid treatment or blood thinners, with an intrauterine contraceptive device unremoved. Or, if there is an undiagnosed adnexal mass, severe heart/liver/kidney problem, anemia, uterine diseases, allergy to abortion pills, or chronic adrenal failure.

What are the medical abortion precautions to follow?

When using abortion pills, do not consume alcohol, heavy meals, grapefruit, too much caffeine, or overdose on the medicine. Restrict any physical and mental stress, exercising, driving, and venturing outdoors. Avoid the risk of infection by using large maxi pads for the bleeding instead of tampons or menstrual cups. Maintain hygiene around for comfort and safety.

What are the medical abortion risks?

The rare risk of medical abortion is an incomplete termination. If the uterus remains inside even after successful use of the abortion pills, you may need surgical attention to remove these leftovers. It is advisable not to try to continue an incomplete abortion as it can lead to life-threatening consequences.

When to seek medical attention during abortion pill use?

While medical assistance is not required in the majority of cases, it is advisable to keep a check on the abortion pill symptoms for precaution. For instance, if you soak more than 2 pads in lss than 2 hours of bleeding, you may be bleeding excessively and require professional assistance. Or, if you run a high fever for more than a day, experience foul-smelling discharge, or other signs of infection, seek emergency care at the earliest.

Anyone wanting to end their unplanned pregnancies has two options. Either choose a surgical abortion process or a medical abortion procedure at home. Healthcare professionals supervise the invasive method used for pregnancy termination. They use surgical or suction instruments to empty the uterus. The surgical process itself consumes 30 minutes or more. On the contrary, a medical abortion is self-performed via abortion pills, inducing a natural miscarriage.

A medical abortion method may take a few days. However, it provides better privacy and lower expense compared to a surgical abortion alternative, which, although quicker, requires a clinical setting for its performance. A surgical abortion takes place either in the first or second trimester, while medical abortion pills online use is suitable only for pregnancies within the first 12 weeks.

We will inform you about medication in another post. But today, let us focus on understanding surgical abortion, its types, procedure, benefits, risks and complications, cost and availability, and other information.

Types of Surgical Abortion Procedures

Here is a brief about surgical abortion methods followed around the world:

Vacuum Aspiration Surgical Abortion Process

This method is for first-trimester pregnancies. You may have to go under local anesthesia. The surgeon will use a suction device to vacate the uterus of the pregnancy portions and tissues. This device goes in through the cervix. While invasive, the process is quick and safe, and you can return home the same day.

Dilation and Curettage (D&C) Surgical Abortion Process

Here, the cervix ripening happens through medicine, and then equipment enters the cervical canal to reach the womb. A curette is the surgical instrument used to remove the conception products. Usually, this procedure occurs to end an incomplete medical abortion or when a fetus develops further.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) Surgical Abortion Proces

The D&E surgical abortion is for pregnancies in the second trimester. The surgeon will soften and dilate the cervix before using a suction instrument to expel the pregnancy tissue. The pregnancy removed is collected in the suction tube attached.

Preparation and Recovery Time for Surgical Abortion Process

Here are additional details about surgical abortion preparation and the recovery period:

Preparing for Surgical Abortion

Diagnosis of pregnancy via ultrasound and other tests, as recommended by a professional, is the first step to determining eligibility for the abortion. Once you decide to abort the pregnancy, the doctor will explain the pregnancy termination process. They will also review your medical history to rule out complications. They will provide general tips like arranging transportation to the clinic and home, eating light or staying empty stomach before the abortion, etc., to ensure comfort.

Invasive Termination

The surgical abortion begins with the administration of anesthesia. The doctor will then give something to ripen and dilate the cervix to pass the instruments in easily. Depending on how far you are into the pregnancy, the suction or tool to remove the pregnancy will be chosen. The process can take as little as 10 minutes to 30 minutes. You will be under constant monitoring and receive aftercare guidance after the abortion.

Recovery Duration

It does not take much time to recover after a surgical abortion. For most, after one to two days, they can resume normal chores. For a week, some may encounter light bleeding and slight cramping. However, taking pain relief medicine and sleeping and resting enough will help the body heal soon. To check on the health progress, it is ideal to schedule a follow-up visit a week later.

Benefits of the Surgical Abortion Process

Here are the top benefits of surgical abortion pregnancy termination:

The surgical abortion is a medically supervised procedure to end a pregnancy. It ensures safety and has a high success rate, a great choice for women wanting a professional setting to manage their pregnancies.
The quick completion within 10 to 30 minutes means you can get over the abortion soon, usually within one to two clinic visits, including the initial consultation.
Compared to medical abortion, a surgical abortion is suitable even for later stages of pregnancy.
It also has a faster recovery rate with the option for anesthesia and pain management.

Surgical Abortion Process Risks and Complications

While surgical abortion method is reliable, it does carry certain risks and complications as listed below:

Cramping and Pain

During or after a pregnancy termination via surgery, a woman may experience temporary cramping in the abdomen. There is a possibility of pain as well. You can discuss pain management alternatives with your healthcare provider in such instances.

Risk of Infection

Due to the use of instruments, the risk of infection, though rare, does exist. The risk increases if precautions to use sterile instruments are not properly followed. Also, if the surgeon is not well-experienced, room for mistakes may widen. Avoid intercourse for the time being and tampons/menstrual cups right after the procedure to reduce the chances of infections.

Rare Complications

Possible complications of a surgical abortion include uterine puncture/perforation/injury, heavy bleeding, sepsis, or an incomplete abortion. If you notice signs of these problems, seek emergency care at the earliest.

Availability and Cost of a Surgical Abortion

A surgical abortion process is usually offered in licensed hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centers and performed by specialized professionals. The exact cost for the surgical procedure may differ depending on the provider, location, and pregnancy stage.

In the USA, for instance, a first-trimester and second-trimester abortion through surgery may range between $550 and $1,000, or $600 up to $2,000 or more, respectively.
This may include expenses for consultation, ultrasound scan, anesthesia, and the surgical abortion process itself. However, some hospitals may charge more according to their rate card.
A medical abortion process is otherwise the most cost-effective option, with abortion pills available as low as $199 (MTP Kit). Many women choose abortion medications instead because of the privacy, budget-friendly, and discreet procedure at home.

Learn about what is medical abortion process, and understand the other alternatives available to end an early pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Abortion

Here are the common FAQs for surgical pregnancy termination:

What is a surgical abortion?

A surgical abortion ends a pregnancy in the first and second trimester through an invasive technique. The method uses surgical instruments or tools to remove the pregnancy tissues and fetus from the womb, but under medical supervision.

Is surgical abortion safe?

It is safe to undergo a surgical abortion when performed in a clinical setting by trained professionals. If you want to choose a surgical procedure, make sure you contact only licensed hospitals or clinics that have permission to provide this service.

How is surgical abortion performed?

The surgical abortion types are vacuum aspiration, D&C or dilation and curettage, and D&E or dilation and evacuation. You may receive anesthesia, following which the cervix is dilated. A surgical suction or curetting tool is further used to remove the pregnancy.

How long does recovery take after a surgical abortion?

It takes one to two days to resume normal activities after a successful surgical ending of pregnancy. However, mild cramping and bleeding may exist for a week or so. Complete recovery, where you can perform physically straining tasks, may take a week or more.

What are the risks of surgical abortion?

Some rare risks of a surgical abortion are incomplete pregnancy termination, heavy vaginal bleeding, and uterine/vaginal/blood infection. If these complications are addressed on time, then recovery is possible seamlessly after medical care.

Is surgical abortion painful?

While anesthesia may make you not feel the equipment-related discomfort or pain during the surgical abortion, some pain may be experienced when the anesthesia effect wears off. You may encounter cramping and mild pain. However, pain-relieving medicines can reduce this problem.

At how many weeks can a surgical abortion be done?

The laws regarding surgical abortion may differ from one country to another. Generally, surgical abortions are permitted up to 14 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. It is best to check the local regulations and know the period during which you can seek an invasive abortion in your state.

A Breakdown of the Surgical Abortion Procedure for Pregnancies