Preparation for Surgical Abortion
To terminate a pregnancy, a surgical abortion is performed in a clinical setting. It differs from a medical abortion, which involves the use of drugs to end a pregnancy. Surgical abortions are typically performed between 6 to 12 weeks of fetal development. The most commonly used method is suction aspiration. For later-term abortions, a D
Suction Aspiration
You will be given sedation prior to the suction aspiration procedure. General anesthesia can be administered to put you completely under or a local sedative can be given to keep you relaxed during the abortion. While lying on a surgical table, you need to place your feet in stirrups. A speculum is inserted into your vagina, and a series of rods may be used to open your cervix to access the uterus. A suction device, known as a cannula, is placed at the opening of the uterus. When suction is initiated, the fetal tissue and placenta will be removed from your body. You will then be taken to a recovery room to allow the sedation to wear off.
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