If you have just learned you’re pregnant, you may be thinking through your next steps. You have 3 options available to you: carrying to term to parent; carrying to term to place for adoption; and abortion.
Every decision in front of you is a difficult one. There are no easy choices. However, with the proper support and resources, you can make your decision with confidence as a woman who is empowered.
At The Pregnancy Network, we want to walk alongside you during this time. We offer free pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, education, material resources, and more. Because we care about you and your health, we do not offer or refer for abortions. However, we do provide information about the various kinds of abortion procedures because we believe you deserve to be fully informed before you make a life-altering decision.
In this article, we’ll cover a specific kind of abortion procedure: a suction aspiration surgical abortion. You may have also heard suction aspiration referred to as a vacuum aspiration or a D&C procedure.
4 Things To Know About a Suction Aspiration Surgical Abortion
Who receives this procedure?
This procedure may be performed on a woman whose pregnancy is up to 14 weeks gestation.
How is it performed?
The cervix may be softened using laminaria (which is a type of seaweed) and/or vaginal medication the night before the procedure. Local anesthetic is injected in the cervix. The cervix is then stretched open using metal dilating rods. A plastic tube is inserted in the uterus and connected to a vacuum device that pulls apart the body of the fetus, through the tube, and out of the uterus. (You may also hear the fetus referred to as “pregnancy tissue”).
What are the risks?
Every medical procedure carries with it certain risks. Some of the risks of a suction aspiration surgical abortion are: bleeding, infection, an incomplete abortion, allergic reaction to medication, perforation of the uterus, or organ damage.
Do I have to have an ultrasound if I want a suction aspiration abortion?
It is crucial to have an ultrasound before moving forward with a surgical abortion procedure, especially if you are unsure of the date of your last menstrual period (LMP). The gestational age will determine what type of procedure is possible.
Before You Decide
Suction aspiration abortions are often advertised as an ideal solution to an unwanted pregnancy because the procedure is short (5-10 minutes) and seemingly simple.
But the decision to end a pregnancy is anything but simple. And you owe it to yourself to think through the physical, emotional, and psychological implications of an abortion.
Call us today for a free pregnancy test and limited ultrasound. You’ll meet with a staff registered nurse who will explain your ultrasound to you and also answer any questions you have about abortion procedures or other options available to you.
You can also take a look at these helpful articles with more information about your options. We’re here for you. You can do it, and we can help. Click the button below to schedule your free appointment today.
*All content was reviewed by staff registered nurses.
Extra Resources
Mary Holloman
Mary is the Communications Coordinator at The Pregnancy Network.