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The type of abortion procedure you can have depends on how many weeks pregnant you are. Some medical conditions also affect the types of treatment.
After your medical assessment we will talk about the types of abortion procedure available to you. We will answer all your questions to help you choose your treatment. |
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There are two types of Abortion treatment : |
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Medical Abortion : The Abortion Pill |
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The abortion pill involves taking medicines to end the pregnancy. |
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What is the Abortion Pill ? |
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The abortion pill is a medicine that ends a pregnancy. The medical name for the abortion pill is mifepristone. It works by blocking the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down and the pregnancy cannot continue.
The abortion pill is followed by another medicine called misoprostol, which makes the womb contract, causing cramping and bleeding similar to a miscarriage.
The abortion pill can be used up to 24 weeks of pregnancy at BPAS. What to expect depends on whether the pregnancy is less than or more than 10 weeks. |
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Surgical Abortion |
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Surgical abortion involves a minor operation that may be done with local anaesthetic, with sedation or rarely with general anaesthetic. Surgical abortion involves a minor operation. |
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There are two types of Surgical Abortion : |
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Vacuum aspiration can be done with local anesthetic, sedation or general anesthetic: |
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• Removes the pregnancy by gentle suction. |
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• Up to 14 weeks, this can be done with local anesthetic. The quicker recovery time for this procedure means you can leave the clinic unattended and drive sooner. |
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• Up to 15 weeks this can be done with sedation (relaxed and sleepy) or under general anesthetic. |
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Dilatation and evacuation |
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This method uses instruments and suction to remove the pregnancy while you are asleep. It is usually performed between 15 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. In addition to the procedure described below, you will need cervical preparation on the day of surgery, or the day before.
When you arrive, a healthcare professional will talk with you and answer your questions. You will be asked to change into a gown and to lie down on a trolley. Your anesthetist will meet you, answer your questions and take you into theatre. A small cannula (a very fine plastic tube) is placed in a vein, normally in your hand. General anesthetic medication is given through the cannula to make you sleep. |
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Once you are asleep, your legs are placed in supports and the doctor examines your uterus (womb). A speculum is inserted into your vagina. The opening of your cervix may be stretched with thin rods called dilators. The pregnancy is removed using narrow forceps passed through the neck of the womb. |
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A tube is then inserted through the cervix and a suction machine is used to gently complete the evacuation. You won't feel any pain during the procedure, which takes about 10-20 minutes from start to finish. You will wake in the recovery area and be observed for about 1-2 hours before going home. |
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• Carried out under general anesthetic. |
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• The pregnancy is removed using narrow forceps through the neck of the womb (cervix). |
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• You will need cervical preparation on the day of surgery or possibly the day before. |
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