What Is Abortion?

Abortion is the termination of pregnancy before the stage at which the fetus can exist outside the uterus independently of the mother. Abortion can be spontaneous (miscarriage) or brought about by some cause through medical or surgical intervention. Authorities tell us that if abortion is carried out by qualified medical personnel, abortion is among the safest of the medical procedures. Treatment also differs by age of gestation, history, availability, and patient choice.

Classification of Abortion Methods

The abortion procedures can be classified on a general basis based on what pregnancy is terminated with and when, in the process of pregnancy, that is accomplished. The majority of general classifications are those when these are medical abortion, surgical abortion, and later abortions. Those abortion procedures performed in the first-trimester abortion greatly differ from those of the second-trimester abortion due to development changes during pregnancy.

Medical (Non-Surgical) Abortion

Medical abortion or drug abortion refers to termination of early pregnancy termination through drug administration. The latter is typically offered for termination of early pregnancy at 10-11 weeks of gestation.

  • How it works: Two tablets of medication abortion pills are applied to carry out medical abortion:
  • One is mifepristone, which blocks the action of progesterone, the hormone that aids in pregnancy
  • Two is misoprostol, after 24-48 hours of taking the first medication, which causes uterine cramping to flush out the pregnancy tissue from the body
  • The Process: After the first consultation and ultrasound, the first pill is swallowed in a clinic. The second pill is administered at home. Bleeding and cramping will generally begin within hours, and the procedure is experienced as a heavy, crampy period.
  • Effectiveness: Medical abortion is around 95-98% effective if completed within the time provided.

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion refers to a set of abortion techniques that remove pregnancy tissue from the uterus through medical equipment. They are highly effective and can be conducted at any gestational age but through operation depending on pregnancy age.

Vacuum Aspiration (Suction Abortion)

Used most often first-trimester abortion, vacuum aspiration performed traditionally up to 14-16 weeks' gestation.

  • Procedure: Cervix is slowly dilated under local anaesthesia or conscious sedation. Thin bore suction cannula is inserted through the cervix into the uterus and pregnancy tissue is aspirated under strict supervision. Procedure time: 5-10 minutes.
  • Features: It may be performed as a day case procedure and therefore patients can be discharged on the same operation day. It is highly effective (over 99%) and it is minimally resuscitative.

Read More: Premature Preterm Labor


Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

  • Dilation and curettage (D&C) is surgical, although not so frequently performed nowadays for abortion due to the fact that vacuum aspiration has become standard.
  • Procedure: Pregnancy tissue and the cervix are dilated and scraped out using a curette (spoon-shaped) from the uterine lining by scraping it. Suction can also be combined with curettage at times. It can be done under local or general anesthetic and can be used to terminate early pregnancy or complete an incomplete miscarriage.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

The most typical second-trimester abortion method is dilation and evacuation (D&E), typically 13-24 weeks' pregnancy.

  • Procedure: Progressing deeper into the cervix, sometimes pre-treated with drugs or pre-insertion of dilators several hours or even one day before. Special medical equipment and suction remove pregnancy material. Less invasive than when performed in the first trimester, specialized personnel required, typically 10-30 minutes' duration using sedation or general anesthetic.

Induction Abortion (Late-Term Abortion)

At approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy, induction abortion may be employed, particularly where fetal abnormality is grossly severe or the mother is seriously endangered. Induction abortion is artificially induced induction of labour by drug to secure and induce delivery. They are rare procedures, tightly controlled, and only performed in exceptional medical situations in general. Abortion laws and regulations is gigantic geographically widespread.

Natural or Spontaneous Abortion (Miscarriage)

Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion occurs spontaneously without the administration of medical care. 10-20% of pregnancy is lost through miscarriage, and in most cases it occurs within the first three months. In an incomplete miscarriage, it is managed with medication or surgery to prevent complications.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Method

  • Gestational Age: It is of utmost importance in safe abortion options practice. Medical abortion can be done in early pregnancy alone, while surgery is more invasive.
  • Medical History: Some diseases are a contraindication for certain procedures. Physicians have certain medical conditions in their minds.
  • Personal Preference: Some would prefer confidentiality of medical abortion, while others would prefer quicker termination of surgical procedure.
  • Availability and Access: Abortion legislation differs between jurisdictions in what procedure exists and cut-offs at what levels of gestation.

Recovery and Aftercare

Abortion recovery from abortion is dependent on the type but otherwise no more eventful than after a normal period:

  • Physical Recovery: There will be cramping and bleeding after medical and surgical abortion but this will come to an end within two weeks to a few days. Patients performing surgical abortion will have lighter bleeding than patients performing medical abortion.
  • Follow-Up Care: Follow-up visit ensures procedure was successful and patient is fine.
  • Abortion Complications: Abortion is very safe when performed by skilled providers. Serious complication is rare (< 1%) and would be infection, incomplete abortion, or abnormal bleeding. Risks of abortion increase slightly with gestational age.

When to Seek Medical Assistance

Call health care professionals immediately if having:

  • Heavy cramping
  • Heavy bleeding (two pads saturated within one hour for two consecutive hours)
  • Temperature
  • Infection

Conclusion

Information about various types of abortion—medical abortion, surgical abortion techniques like vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C), and dilation and evacuation (D&E)—provide a person with information to make an informed health decision. First-trimester abortion techniques and second-trimester abortion techniques vary from one another but are useful in some way or the other.

These techniques of abortion, when carried out by skilled healthcare workers with some requirements, are effective and safe. The providers must advise those who plan to undergo abortion to choose the most suitable method based on gestation age, medical history, and circumstances.

Please book an appointment with the best Gynecologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.