Abortion is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures among women, and each year approximately 2 percent of women ages 15 to 44 have an abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a public agency that tracks data on issues related to reproductive health. Approximately 22 percent of all pregnancies end in abortion and more than 1 million abortions are performed annually. Medical abortions, those that involve taking a medication, are available until eight-weeks gestation. But the majority of women have a surgical abortion, performed in a doctor's office, hospital or abortion clinic.
Suction Aspiration
Suction aspiration is also known as vacuum aspiration and is the most common abortion procedure. It can be done until 12 weeks' gestation. The American Pregnancy Association explains that suction aspiration begins with the insertion of a speculum into the vagina. It holds the vaginal walls open for the procedure. Localized anesthesia is administered through a needle into the cervix, a process that is quick and keeps the cervix numb so no part of the abortion is felt. Once numb, the cervix is then dilated with tapered rods called dilators, and a small, narrow tube, a cannula, is inserted into the cervix. This tube is then used to empty the contents of the uterus through a suction device. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes.
Dilation & Curettage
Dilation and curettage is a process very similar to suction aspiration and done at 12 to 15 weeks' gestation. Instead of using just a cannula tube to remove the contents of the uterus, the doctor uses a curette and then the cannula. The National Abortion Federation describes a curette as a long loop-shaped knife. With the curette, the doctor scrapes the placenta and fetus away from the uterine wall. The cannula is then inserted to suction the uterus. Despite the intimidating description of a curette, the National Abortion Federation says the procedure is not painful and takes only 10 minutes to complete.
Dilation & Evacuation
Dilation and evacuation is the most complex abortion procedure and is usually reserved for pregnancies that are past 15 weeks. The National Abortion Federation says this procedure takes around 30 minutes, but preparations begin the day before. Twenty-four hours before the abortion, the doctor inserts laminarias, sterile absorbent fiber rods, into the cervix to start dilatation. On the day of the procedure, once dilation is complete, a cannula is inserted into the uterus to begin separating the fetus and placenta from the uterine wall. This is followed by curettage. Last, suction is used. In most cases a dilation and evacuation is done at a hospital, because most abortion clinics are not equipped for such a procedure.
