Abortion Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Abortion procedure Abortion - surgical Definition A surgical abortion is a procedure that ends a pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the mother's womb (uterus). There are different types of surgical abortion. Sometimes the woman needs the procedure for a health reason. This is called a therapeutic abortion. Other times, she chooses (elects) to end the pregnancy. This is called an elective abortion. See also: Medical abortion Miscarriage Alternative Names Suction curettage; Surgical abortion; Elective abortion - surgical; Therapeutic abortion - surgical Description A surgical abortion uses a vacuum to remove the fetus and related material from a woman's uterus (womb). The procedure is usually done after 6 weeks of the woman's last menstrual period You may receive medicine (sedative) to help you relax and feel sleepy. The doctor may numb the cervix so you feel little pain during the procedure. If the surgical abortion is done after 12 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor must first open (dilate) the cervical canal. Small sticks called laminaria are placed into the cervix to help it open. Sometimes, this is done a day or two before the actual abortion procedure. Next, the doctor inserts a hollow tube into the womb before using the vacuum to remove the pregnancy-related tissues from the womb. Medicines may be given to help the uterine muscles contract. This reduces bleeding. Continue reading this article

More Articles

Miscarriage (3 Videos, 1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. (Pregnancy losses after the 20th week are called preterm deliveries) A miscarriage may also be called a "spontaneous abortion." This refers to naturally occurring events, not medical abortions or surgical abortions. Other terms for the early loss of pregnancy include: Complete abortion: All of the products of conception exit the body; Incomplete abortion: Only some of the products of conception exit the body; Inevitable abortion: The symptoms cannot be stopped, and a miscarriage will happen; Infected abortion: The lining of the womb, or uterus, and any remaining products of conception become infected; Missed abortion: The pregnancy is lost and the products of conception do not exit the body. See also: Threatened miscarriage Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 02/19/2009
Email  |  Save

Miscarriage - threatened (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A threatened miscarriage is a condition that suggests a miscarriage might take place before the 20th week of pregnancy. Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/03/2009
Email  |  Save

Use Healthline to search the web for more Abortion information.

Health Experts, Healthline's Network of Health Experts

Abortion: When Denial is Not the Best Choice in Teen Health 411 - 1 year 129 days ago

Recent Posts Alcohol Use and Teens: The Role of Adults Vacation and Financial Education Planning Vacations With Teens Thank You - Grand... Email  |  Save

Abortion Pills and Safety in Teen Health 411 - 113 days ago

(no summary available) Email  |  Save

Implications of a "Negative" Blood Type in Fruit of the Womb - 2 years 268 days ago

(no summary available) Email  |  Save