Abortion Procedures

Abortion pill

Procedure
  1. Swallow pills containing mifepristone (RU486)
    • Progesterone is blocked
    • Lining of uterus is broken down
    • Blood and nourishment is cut off from the baby
    • Baby dies inside uterus from starvation

    **The baby might be saved if progesterone is given as soon as possible

  2. One-two days later, swallow misoprostol (Cidatek) pill or put into vagina
    • Cramping, contractions and bleeding force the dead baby out of uterus
    • Symptoms last a few hours to several days
Risks
  • Heavy bleeding, nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea, headache, and risk of death

Suction (D&C) Abortion

Procedure
  • On a table with your feet in stirrups
  • Cervix opened
  • Suction tube put into your uterus
  • Baby dies inside uterus from starvation
  • Baby is sucked in pieces out of your uterus
  • The uterus lining is scraped out
Risks
  • Parts of baby left behind
  • Infection and bleeding
  • Injury to uterus or cervix
  • Damage to intestine, bladder, blood vessels
  • Death
  • Future pregnancy complications

2nd Trimester Surgical Abortion (D&E)

Procedure
  • Open cervix with laminaria 24-48 hours before procedure
  • Amniotic fluid is suctioned out
  • Baby’s arms and legs are torn from body with a long clamp
  • Heart, lungs, intestines removed with long clamp
  • Head is crushed and removed
  • Placenta is removed
  • Uterus lining is scraped
  • Baby parts are put back together on table to make sure all parts have been removed
Risks
  • Uterus punctured
  • Cervix cut
  • Bowel, bladder injury
  • Infection
  • Blood loss
  • Death
  • Future pregnancy complications
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