Abortion FAQs
Q: How is an early abortion performed?
A: The earliest type of abortion is RU-486 (mifepristone), commonly known as the “abortion pill” or a “medical abortion.” It is approved for use up to 63 days after the woman’s last menstrual period.[1] This abortion procedure requires three visits to the abortion facility.[2] In the first visit, the woman reads material about side effects and signs a patient agreement form. She should also receive a pelvic exam or ultrasound to ensure a) that her embryo is within the appropriate range of gestational age for the abortion, and b) that her embryo is growing within the uterus, and not in a fallopian tube. She will then be given the mifepristone pill.[3]
At the second appointment, the woman’s uterus will be examined to see if the embryo is still alive and to determine whether or not the embryo and placenta have been expelled completely. If they have not been, she will receive a drug called misoprostol. Misoprostol causes uterine contractions, so the woman may be given a painkiller.[4]
The third appointment is a follow-up to check for infection, failed abortion, excessive bleeding, allergy to the medication, and other potential complications.[5] In the case of a failed abortion, the woman will have to receive a surgical abortion. This risk increases as the pregnancy goes on; at seven weeks 5-8% of RU-486 abortions have to be followed up with surgery, but at nine weeks 23% do. [6]
Q: What about later abortions?
A: These abortions are known as “surgical abortions” or “in-clinic abortions.”[7] There are several kinds of surgical abortion procedures.
The most common form is suction curettage, which can be done up to 16 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period.[8] The woman’s cervix is dilated, using either absorbent dilators or metal rods.[9] Pain with dilation is common, so the woman is typically provided with an anesthetic.[10] The doctor then inserts a plastic tube through the dilated cervix and into the uterus. This tube is connected to a machine that produces suction. The suction breaks apart the fetal body and placenta, allowing them to pass out the tube. The abortionist may then use a loop-shaped knife, called a curette, to scrape any remaining tissue from the uterine wall.[11] When only suction is employed, without the use of a curette, the procedure is referred to as an aspiration abortion.[12]
Another form of surgical abortion is dilation and evacuation (D&E), which occurs between 13 and 24 weeks. At this later stage, the fetus is too large to be aborted via suction. The cervix must be dilated to a greater width than in suction curettage, which may require an extra visit to the facility a day or two before the abortion. On the day of the procedure, the doctor will use forceps to bring the fetal body parts out of the uterus. As with suction abortion, a curette may be also used.[13]
Other forms of late-term abortion include “partial-birth” or “dilation and extraction” abortion (not legal in the United States), prostaglandin, digoxin induction, hysterotomy, and saline abortion.[14] You are unlikely to encounter any of these procedures.
Q: I’ve heard that having an abortion may put me at risk for psychological problems. Is that true?
A: This is a highly controversial topic, and if you do your own research, you will find widely disparate statements. Some groups believe that post-abortion regret is purely the invention of pro-life activists.[15] On the other end are those who feel that it is not only real, but serious enough to merit diagnosis as its own syndrome. The truth is that some women do not experience emotional or mental issues related to their abortions, while others do. Studies indicate that 15 to 25% of women who have abortions experience psychological stress related to the procedure.[16]
Certain women are more likely to have abortion-related psychological problems than others. These include women who have an existing mental disorder [17], morally oppose abortion [18], feel pressured, coerced, or ambivalent [19], are young [20], and/or are lacking in social support.[21]
Q: What other risks are involved with an abortion?
A: Each abortion procedure carries its own risks.
RU-486: U.S. trials of RU-486 indicate that the most common side effect is cramping (97%), followed by nausea (67%). More serious complications include uterine hemorrhage (7%) and viral infections (4%).[22] The FDA reports that RU-486 has caused several fatal sepsis infections.[23]
Surgical abortion: In general, later-term surgical abortions are more dangerous than earlier-term surgical abortions. Risks include heavy bleeding, infection, damage to the cervix and/or uterine wall, and complications related to anesthesia.[24] It also elevates the risk of placenta previa and premature birth in later pregnancies; the risk of premature birth increases with the number of abortions a woman has. [25]
Q: I’m curious about prenatal development. What would an abortion remove from my body at each week?
A: The following websites give overviews of prenatal development:
Prenatal Development Videos
Minnesota Department of Health
Pregnancy Week by Week
Mayo Clinic- First Trimester
Mayo Clinic- Second Trimester
Mayo Clinic- Third Trimester
Q: I don’t know if I want an abortion or not. I’m just going through a real emotional roller coaster right now and could use somebody caring and non-judgmental to talk to.
A: 1-800-395-HELP is a free, confidential, 24/7 hotline dedicated to unplanned pregnancy issues. You may also visit one of the free clinics listed on the home page, or go to the UM Counseling Center.
Q: I’ve had an abortion, and there’s still alot of unresolved emotions and issues I’m dealing with. Is there somewhere I can go to for help?
A: If you are having trouble coping with an abortion, you are not alone. Here are some great resources:
Silent No More was created to help women who have had abortions and their website has testimonies and a directory for Finding the therapy that’s right for you, among other resources.
Afterabortion.com has forums for women to discuss their experiences
Project Rachel is an outreach of the Catholic Church, but people of all faiths are welcome. Their hotline is 1-888-456-HOPE.
Abortion Recovery Hotline: 1-866-4-MY-RECOVERY
Citations:
[6]U.S. Clinical Trial: Spitz, Bardin, et al. NEJM Vol 338(18) pp1241-1247 (Table 1 p1243.)
[9] Planned Parenthood, Optionline.org
[16] David C. Reardon, Ph.D. “Identifying High Risk Abortion Patients.” The Elliot Institute. Afterabortion.org/highriskk.html
[23] Food and Drug Administration- http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/mifepristone/default.htm
