Indiana University Bloomington Pregnancy and Parenting Portal

What is an abortion?

The intentional termination of pregnancy after conception, resulting in the death of an embryo or fetus

What are the different types of abortion procedures?

Medicine-Induced Abortion

This is a procedure completed within the first 9 weeks of pregnancy and usually involves two types of medication: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. The Mifepristone depletes the womb of progesterone, a hormone necessary for the body to carry a pregnancy to term and causes the uterine lining to become thinner. The changes in the uterus prevent the embryo or fetus from staying implanted and the Misoprostol (second medication) then induces contractions to remove the embryo or fetus from the womb.

Procedure Methods:

Risks and Possible Side Effects:

Procedure can pose severe risk if you:

Abortion Pill Reversal

After starting medically-induced abortion, patients may experience and/or report feelings of remorse, anger, internal conflict, and other strong emotions. Patients experiencing these emotions may attempt to stop the abortion through a process called abortion pill reversal.

To attempt this, the patient refrains from taking the second pill used for medical abortion (Misoprostol) and instead increases their progesterone levels in hopes of carrying their pregnancy to term.

Abortion pill reversal requires further medical research and remains a highly-debated topic in the community. It is advised that you seek counsel from a medical professional as you make a decision.

Suction Dialation and Curettage (Suction D&C)

Procedure occurs within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy and is most common for abortion services. Suction D&C entails the dialation (widening) of the cervix and then the insertion of tubing into the patient's uterus. The tubing connects to an electric pump that sucks the embryo or fetus out of the womb. The patient will usually receive anesthesia via their cervix during the dialation process and/or intravenous medication for anxiety and pain relief.

Risks and Possible Side Effects:

Dialation and Curettage (D&C)

A variation of the above Suction D&C, this procedure involves the use of a curette to scrape fetal parts from the uterus in addition to suction methods.

Risks and Possible Side Effects:

Dialation and Evacuation (D&E)

D&E is typically performed between 16 weeks and 24 weeks gestation. In the 24 hours leading up to a D&E procedure, the doctor will insert laminaria or another form of dilation device into the cervix. The day of the procedure, the doctor will use other tools to keep the cervix and uterus in place during the surgery. Cone-shaped rods that gradually increase in size are utilized to continue widening the cervix, as the fetus is larger at this stage and will not pass through a suction tube. To remove the fetus, the doctor uses tools such as a cannula, a currette, and forceps, then suction tube to eliminate any remaining tissue. To reduce the risk of infection and other complications, fetal remains are examined to ensure all parts were removed from the uterus and the patient is given an antibiotic.

Risks and Possible Side Effects:

Dilation and Extraction (D&X)

This procedure is chosen for abortions after 21 weeks gestation and is also called Intact D&X, Intrauterine Cranial Decompression, and Partial-Birth Abortion. Laminaria is used 48 hours before the procedure to widen the cervix, leading the patient's water to eventually break. The doctor will then rotate the fetus and use forceps to pull parts through the birth canal. The base of the skull is given a small incision in order to insert a suction catheter, which removes cerebral matter until the skull collapses and the fetus can be fully removed from the birth canal.

Risks and Possible Side Effects:

Indiana State Laws Regarding Abortion (As of Feb. 2020)

Seeking Post-Abortive Recovery

After having an abortion or after the abortion of a partner, friend, or family member, one may or may not experience emotional and psychological impacts commonly described as Post Abortion Stress Syndrom (PASS). Symptoms and reactions vary and can occur at different stages of life for each individual. Listed below are resources which address post-abortion healing:

References