Health Information

Abortion

Choices: Surgical Abortion

A surgical abortion ends a pregnancy by surgically removing the contents of the uterus. Different procedures are used for surgical abortion, depending on how many weeks of pregnancy have passed.

Reference Care before and after a surgical abortion includes a physical exam and lab tests, education about what to expect, self-care instructions, symptoms that mean you should call your doctor, and birth control planning.

Surgical methods in the first trimester (5 to 12 weeks)

Reference Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) or machine vacuum aspiration uses suction through a small tube to empty the uterus of all tissue.

Surgical method in the second trimester

Reference Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is typically done when an abortion occurs in the second 12 weeks (second Reference trimester Opens New Window) of pregnancy. It usually includes a combination of Reference vacuum aspiration Opens New Window, Reference dilation and curettage (D&C) Opens New Window, and the use of surgical instruments (such as forceps) to clear the uterus of fetal and placental tissue.

A D&E is most commonly used during the second trimester because it has a lower complication risk than induction abortion.

Nonsurgical method in the second trimester

Reference Induction abortion ends a second-trimester pregnancy by using medicines to start (induce) contractions, which expel (push) the fetus from the uterus. If the fetus has severe medical problems, a woman may choose to have an induction abortion.

See the What to Think About section of this topic for a comparison between medical abortion and surgical abortion.

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: Reference August 31, 2012
Medical Review:	Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Reference Rebecca H. Allen, MD, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology