WHAT IS AN EARLY SURGICAL ABORTION?
- Complete information about surgical abortion is available from your clinician.
- Abortion is the termination or ending of a pregnancy after implantation.
- Most surgical abortions (97%) are done by placing an instrument the size of a pencil into the uterine cavity (the inside of the womb) and applying suction. This procedure is called vacuum aspiration. Each year in the United States just less than half of all pregnancies, approximately 3.5 million pregnancies, are unintended and there are about 1.5 million abortions.
- Anesthesia is given; it is usually local (numbing the area) rather than general (being put to sleep).
- Usually the uterine cavity is explored with a special instrument to confirm that the abortion is complete.
- You will be asked to remain in the office for a brief period of time before going home.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
- Over the past decade, just under half of all unintended pregnancies in the United States have been terminated by abortion. Over half of all abortions are done for women using contraception. Since the procedure is relatively common, doctors are experienced at performing the procedure.
- This surgical procedure can be done using local anesthesia, quickly, safely, and with minimal widening of the cervical canal.
- There is less risk of death for a woman from an early abortion than from delivering a full-term baby.The risk of death is approximately 10 times greater from delivering a full-term baby.
- Many women do not have negative feelings after an abortion but instead feel relieved.
- Exam and procedure may be done in a single visit (NOTE: local laws may affect this).
- There is minimal risk of infertility, cervical problems, early labor, birth defects, or breast cancer after an initial first-trimester abortion.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?
- Choosing to terminate a pregnancy can be a difficult process. Sometimes it is difficult emotionally to cope with this decision, and a woman must weigh the possibility of regret having an abortion. Also, difficulty may arise with a partner regarding the decision.
- You may experience cramping, pain, and bleeding. Can be painful if woman is awake during the procedure.
- Although rare, serious complications may occur. Infection of your uterus or tubes can cause permanent scarring and may lead to infertility.
- It may be difficult to find a clinician to perform an abortion.
- It may be expensive.
- Early surgical abortion involves an instrument entering the uterine cavity.
- Some people may feel guilty about ending a pregnancy.
- Women obtaining an abortion may face protesters at some abortion clinics
WHERE DO I GO AND HOW DO I DECIDE?
- If you are pregnant and did not plan to be pregnant, you have a very important decision to make. It may be a difficult decision. Speak to your clinician or family planning clinic staff about your concerns. If you choose to continue with your pregnancy, stop drinking and start taking folic acid immediately, start seeing a physician, nurse, or midwife right away. If you choose to have an abortion, ask them where to have one done safely.
- You should decide to do what you, yourself, feel is right. You may want to discuss this decision with your husband, partner, counselor, friend or family member. Or you may want to keep this decision entirely to yourself.
- The earlier in pregnancy an abortion is done, the safer and less expensive it is for you.
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