Initial Consultation
An abortion involves ending a pregnancy before the fetus has been fully developed. The termination of the pregnancy may be voluntary or recommended for medical reasons. Planning to get an abortion can be extremely nerve wracking and knowing what happens during the procedure may alleviate some of your anxieties. Your physician will likely talk you through the process as well, so you are prepared the day of the procedure.
Preparation
Beforehand, you will be given a sedative, so you may be instructed to not eat or drink anything the night before. The type of sedation varies; you may be awake, but relaxed or completely unconscious. When it is time for the procedure to begin, a speculum will be inserted into your vagina in order to hold it open. A series of rods may also be used to stretch the cervix to prepare for the procedure.
The Procedure
During the abortion, you will be given an injection to numb the cervix. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, a tube will be inserted through the cervix into the uterus. The tubing will be soft and able to be flexed easily by the doctor. The tube is connected to a vacuum. Once suction is initiated, the tissue will be removed through the tube, therefore ending the pregnancy. If any tissue remains, a curette is used to scrape away this tissue. The procedure itself will take less than five minutes to complete with about half an hour of preparation. Afterwards, you are taking to a room for recovery while the sedation wears off. A prescription for antibiotics may be given to prevent infection.
