When you are considering terminating a pregnancy, it can be a daunting and emotional time. In nations such as Australia, America, and Europe, there is a range of options available for ending a pregnancy. When you are looking to approach a medical team to have a termination, it is best to familiarise yourself with the options.
Medical Abortion
A medical abortion is the most commonly offered by medical professionals. More than 50% of abortions performed are done by using this method.
Typically, to qualify for a medical abortion, it is best to perform it in the first ten weeks of pregnancy, but depending on where you live, they can be offered to later-stage pregnancies. This option will involve you taking two pills. One on the first day, which will allow the cervix to begin to contract, and then on the second day, you will need to take another. This will cause the cervical lining to be shed, thus ending the pregnancy.
You will likely experience cramping, nausea, and bleeding in the first 24 hours, but spotting can be expected for a few weeks afterward. There has been a push for women to be able to get tablets to induce an abortion online, but this will vary based on where you live. If you have any concerns following a medical abortion, contact an abortion clinic Sydney for help.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortions are performed in a clinic, and two types are commonly used- vacuum aspiration and dilation and evacuation. The latter will be explored later.
Vacuum aspiration is used in pregnancies that are past the first trimester or in women who have had complications using medical abortions before. It uses gentle suction to remove the contents of your womb, and this will be done after the cervix is contracted, so you will experience cramping. You may or may not be given sedation before undertaking this method. The process takes between 5-10 minutes, and once complete, you will need to stay in the clinic for a few hours to ensure the abortion went to plan and that you are well.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
If you need a termination later in your pregnancy, then a D&E abortion is the most recommended method. It uses a combination of vacuum aspiration, forceps, and dilation and curettage or D&C.
This process is a bit more invasive and will require the cervix to be softened using pills and the use of forceps to remove the fetus and the placenta. Once removed, the womb will be suctioned using a vacuum to remove the larger elements of the pregnancy, and the curettage will be used to remove the remainder of the uterine lining.
Due to the intensity of this method, it will be performed in either a clinic or a hospital.
What To Do If You Suspect An Issue
If you have extensive discomfort or bleeding, are vomiting, or feel ill in the days following any of the methods mentioned here, then you need to contact your doctor or emergency department immediately, as you may have an infection.