Comparison of Different Abortion Methods

An abortion happens when a pregnancy is terminated early. It can be a spontaneous abortion, known also as a miscarriage that happens on its own, or an induced one that is done intentionally by a surgical procedure or the administration of drugs. Read on to look at a comparison of different abortion methods.

The type of abortion done will depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy and whether you want to be sedated, asleep, or awake during the procedure. The type of treatment recommended can also be affected by certain medical conditions. Like other medical procedures, you’ll need to go for a consultation prior to doing the procedure.

There are two main types of abortion methods available:

Surgical Abortion

If you want to terminate a pregnancy before nine weeks from your last menstrual period, the abortion can be performed as a surgical procedure or medically with drugs.

A suction curettage and a dilation procedure will be done if the pregnancy is nine to fourteen weeks.

Evacuation and dilation surgical abortion procedures will be performed after fourteen weeks.

Labor induction, saline infusion, extraction and dilation, hysterectomy, or prostaglandin labor induction abortions can be done after twenty weeks.

Most abortions are done in outpatient office settings under local anesthesia with or without sedation.

Medical Abortion

For this abortion, medication will be taken in order to induce it. A variety of medications are needed to accomplish this, either as a succession of pills or one pill. This medication is generally given up to sixty-three days or nine weeks following the first day of your last period [1].

Before taking this abortion pill, you’ll need to consult your doctor to discuss the options and your medical history, do laboratory tests and a physical exam, and read and then sign papers.

There are actually three steps in this procedure:

Mifepristone: You would get the first medication at the clinic, along with some antibiotics. It will block the progesterone hormone to do the job. The uterus lining will break down and discontinue the pregnancy if progesterone is not present.

Misoprostol: This second medicine will be given twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the mifepristone and will empty the uterus. It will trigger cramps and heavy bleeding that lasts for a few hours. Large blood tissue or clots might be seen at the time of your abortion.

Follow-up: This is important, and it should be done within two weeks after the abortion. A blood test or an ultrasound will be required.

Some more research has to be done to clearly establish which of the method is better than the other, but the information below will help you to compare the two.

Comparison of Different Abortion Methods

Medical abortion is another alternative to a surgical abortion or a suction aspiration procedure. One is not better than the other; they’re just different methods. Each option has supposed advantages and disadvantages that vary based on the individual’s perspectives and circumstances.

Advantages of Medical Abortion

This method is more like a process that might feel more natural and comforting to you. You could schedule an appointment to do this as quickly as a day after you miss a period.

The abortion can be done in the comfort and privacy of your home, and you are free to be alone at this time or get support from a partner, friend, or family member. No instruments are used, so this eliminates the dangers of lacerating or perforating the uterus or cervix.

Disadvantages of Medical Abortion

After the procedure, you have to go back to the clinic for an ultrasound, and there is a one per cent chance that you will have to do additional visits if the procedure is not complete. You could experience heavy or prolonged bleeding with severe cramps.

Advantages of Surgical Abortion

For some women, a surgical abortion makes them feel more resolved and secure. The procedure can be done within three to five minutes with clinic staff present to provide emotional and medical support. If desired, a deeper can be available, as well as additional monitoring by the medical staff.

For the appointment, one visit is required for the procedure and another is recommended for follow-up at the clinic or at your doctor. This procedure is said to be successful for over 99.5% of the cases. [2]

Disadvantage of Surgical Abortion

You must be a minimum of four weeks and six days away from your last period to be eligible for this procedure. Instruments are required to terminate the pregnancy, and they can create possible risks of laceration or perforation of the uterus or cervix.

This abortion process is also less private, as clinic staff will be present. Bleeding and cramping are often mild and rarely severe.

Hopefully, this comparison of different abortion methods will help to give you a better understanding. Just remember that medical abortion can provide a certain amount of safety, as there is no risk of injuring your uterus or cervix with surgical instruments.

If it’s a case where emergency surgical abortion is required, you should get the procedure done by a reputable provider for safety concerns.

References

1. https://www.bpas.org/abortion-care/abortion-treatments/the-abortion-pill/abortion-pill-up-to-10-weeks/
2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7655982_Surgical_abortion_using_manual_vacuum_aspiration_under_local_anaesthesia_A_pilot_study_of_feasibility_and_women’s_acceptability