Main Methods of Abortion

Vacuum Aspiration

• 90% of all abortions

• Very safe, Complications Rare

• 10-15 minutes

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

• Most common >13 weeks, till 20 weeks

• Cervix dilation, fetus dismembered and removed using forceps and vacuum.

• Infection, uterus tear, cervix injury

Dilation and Extraction (D&X)

• 20-24 weeks (>.2% of abortions)

• Fetus partially delivered, skull pierced and contents removed. Allows passage of entire fetus.

• Tissues and bones too tough - bone can cause women to bleed.

Medicinal Abortion (Hormone Levonorgestrel, Methotrexate)

• If taken within 72 hours, stops approx. 90% of pregnancies. If ovum not released from ovary, stops release. If released, prevents fertilization. If fertilized, and implanted, nothing happens.

  • Methotrexate is injected into mother, fetal tissue is expelled similar to a miscarriage.

What percentage of known pregnancies end in miscarriage?

• 15-20%

• Some believe 1 in 3 end in miscarriage

• 1-10% failure rate requires surgical removal