Abortion Healthcare Information
- Abortion is Healthcare
- Abortion A,B,C's
- Medical Abortions - Pregnancies up to 10 weeks
- Surgical Abortions - Pregnancies up to 12 weeks
- Surgical Abortions - Pregnancies up to 12-13 weeks
- Surgical Abortions - Pros & Cons
01
Abortions can be done by taking a pill ( plan c ) or through an in-clinic procedure.
02
Criminalizing abortion does not stop abortions, it just makes abortion less safe, preventing women and girls from accessing an abortion does not mean they stop needing one.
03
That’s why attempts to ban or restrict abortions do nothing to reduce the number of abortions, it only forces people to seek out unsafe abortions.
FOR PREGNANCIES UP TO 10 WEEKS
A medical abortion requires the ingestion of two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol.
01
Mifepristone is the first pill and this is taken at the clinic. Mifepristone stops the progression of pregnancy.
02
Misoprostol is the second pill and helps pass the pregnancy. This pill can be taken 6 – 72 hours later. Within the first 1-4 hours of taking misoprostol, bleeding and cramping ensues. Bleeding will last up to 2 weeks.
Surgical Abortions:
dilation & evacuation
FOR PREGNANCIES UP TO 12 WEEKS
Another form of surgical abortions is referred to as the Dilation and Evacuation abortion.
Dilation and Evacuation abortions are done in clinics and hospitals with an anesthesia called twilight. Depending on the gestational age, this requires 1-4 days of cervical dilation prep.
PRE-OPERATION
During the period, the cervix is prepared using dilators and/or misoprostol. Your clinician may offer pain medication or sedatives in addition to the anesthesia.
OPERATION
During the operation, the clinician removes the pregnancy tissue with vacuum aspiration, forceps, and a curette. This process takes a few minutes. As the uterus is emptied, a tugging sensation or cramping may be felt.
Surgical Abortions:
dilation & curettage
FOR PREGNANCIES UP TO 12-13 WEEKS
One form of surgical abortions is referred to as the Dilation and Curettage abortion (or suction abortion).
Dilation & Curettage abortions are done in clinics and hospitals with local anesthesie. While this is considered an abortion, no stitches are needed.
The process is fairly short (5-10 minutes). The cervix is numbed and then dilated with small rods. A tube, attached to a suction deice, is then inserted into the uterus and draws out tissue from the pregnancy.
Surgical Abortions:
pros & cons
PROS
- Procedure is completed within the same day
- Fast
- Dilation & Curettage: 5-10 minutes
- Dilation & Evacuation: 10-20 minutes
CONS
- Can feel uncomfortable
- For Dilation & Evacuation: can take a while to recover at hospital & clinic