There have been numerous studies and articles written in medical literature regarding medical abortion in the first nine weeks of pregnancy. Prior to medical abortion, the most common method of performing a termination of pregnancy required undergoing a Suction D&C (Dilatation and Currettage).
The manner in which a Suction Currettage is carried out for patients 12 weeks or less, is to position the patient as if she is to undergo a routine Pap Smear or Pelvic Exam. As long as they have someone to drive them home, patients who do not want to remember or feel any discomfort while undergoing the surgical procedure, can be given Intravenous (IV) Sedation in doses that will generally last the length of time required to carry out the abortion procedure process.
A vaginal speculum is then placed inside the cleansed vagina and the cervix (lower part of womb) is anesthetized (numbed). The cervical os is then dilated (opened) with serial dilators until it is adequately dilated enough to allow for the appropriately sized sterile currette to be placed inside the uterus. A manual vaccum or suction tubing is attached to the end of the currette and the gestational (pregnancy) tissue is gently removed from within the intauterine cavity. The patient is then sent to recovery where she can rest comfortably while her vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respirations, temperature) and vaginal bleeding will be monitored. Most patients are ready to be discharged (sent home) within 15 to 30 minutes after the procedure has been performed.
