SAFE ABORTION SERVICES & PROCEDURES
Safe Abortion Procedures
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Medical abortion procedures
Medical abortion is a procedure that uses medication to end a pregnancy. A medical abortion doesn't require surgery or anaesthesia and can be done either in at the clinic or home without any complications.
We recommend follow-up visits a week after to confirm termination was successful. It's safer and most effective during the first trimester of pregnancy.
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The medications used in a medical abortion cause vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping.
They may also cause nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea and headache.
You may be need medications to manage pain during and after the medical abortion. You may also be given antibiotics, although infection after medical abortion is rare.
You might not be able to go about your normal daily routine during this time, but it's unlikely you'll need bed rest. Make sure you have plenty of absorbent sanitary pads.
If you have a medical abortion at home, you'll need access to SANCLINIC contact phone numbers so that we can answer your questions by phone.
You'll also need to be able to identify some serious complications that require emergency attention.
Surgical Abortion Procedure
There are two types of surgical abortion: aspiration abortion and dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion.
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Aspiration abortions
The average clinic visit will last up to three to four hours for an aspiration abortion. The procedure itself should take five to 10 minutes.
Aspiration abortions, also called vacuum aspirations, are the most common type of surgical abortion. During this procedure, you’ll be given pain medication, which can include a numbing medication that is injected into the cervix. You may also be given a sedative, which will allow you to stay awake but be extremely relaxed.
Your doctor will first insert a speculum and examine your uterus. Your cervix will be stretched open with dilators either before or during the procedure. Your doctor will insert a tube through the cervix into the uterus, which is attached to a suction device. This will empty the uterus.
Many women will feel mild to moderate cramping during this portion of the procedure. The cramping typically decreases after the tube is removed from the uterus.
Immediately after the procedure, your doctor may check your uterus to ensure that it is completely empty. You’ll be given antibiotics to prevent infection.
The actual aspiration procedure takes approximately five to 10 minutes, though more time may be needed for dilation.
