By: Van Glendell Dulay

There are 2 kinds of induced abortions:

Surgical Abortion Procedures

Chemical Abortion Options

Surgical Abortion Procedures

Manual Vacuum

Aspiration-within 7

weeks after last

menstrual period

Dilators (metal rods)

are used to stretch the

cervical muscle until

the opening is wide

enough for abortion

instruments to pass

through the uterus.

Suction Curettage

after 14 weeks from

the last menstrual

period

The abortionist uses a

dilator or laminaria to

open the cervix..

D & C (Dilation and Curettage)

within first 12 weeks

The cervix is dilated. A

suction device is

placed in the uterine

cavity to remove the

fetus and placenta.

D & E (Dilation and Evacuation)

within 13-24 weeks

after last menstrual

period

The fetus literally

doubles in size

between the 11th and

12th weeks of

pregnancy.

Saline after 15 weeks of

pregnancy

This procedure is

conducted in the same

manner as amniocentesis

(a prenatal test used to

diagnose a fetus’ potential

chromosomal

abnormalities). A long

needle is inserted into the

woman’s abdomen,

directly into the amniotic

sac

Hysterotomy

after 18 weeks

This procedure is the same as a cesarean

section (in which the doctor cuts through the

abdomen and uterus to deliver the baby), except

that in a hysterotomy, no medical attention is

given to the baby upon delivery to help it survive.

Chemical Abortion Options

within 4-7 weeks of

the last menstrual

period.

Also called “the

abortion pill.”

This drug interferes

with levels of

progesterone, a

hormone that keeps

the fetus implanted in

the wall of the uterus.

RU-486 (Mifepristone)-

Methotrexate and Misoprostol

Methotrexate is used

for treatment of

cancer, and

Misoprostol is used for

ulcer treatment. In a

chemical abortion,

these two drugs are

used in combination.

“Morning After” Pill

sometimes used in rape casesUp to 72 hours after intercourse, a woman is administered large doses of birth control pills (or levonorgestrel, also known as Plan B) to prevent the embryo from implanting in the uterus wall.

References http://www.birthmothers.org/extras/types-of-

abortions.htm

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/abortion/page4_em.htm

http://womensissues.about.com/od/reproductiverights/a/AbortionTypes.htm

http://www.bpas.org/bpaswoman/abortion-treatments