First, the doctor will do a pelvic exam just like you have for a PAP smear. Then the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus, is numbed with lidocaine, a local anesthetic. This is not especially painful. Next, the opening in the cervix is gradually stretched by a series of thin dilators, each a little thicker than the one before. The amount of dilation depends on the length of the pregnancy, but the largest one is only as thick as a felt tip pen.
Most women experience strong menstrual cramps during the dilation.
Finally, the doctor will insert a smooth, blunt-tipped tube to gently suction the contents of the uterus. Although the suction machine may sound noisy the cramps will not get much worse. We use the date of your last normal period as a guide. Please tell us this date as accurately as possible and let us know if your last period was unusual in any way. A sonogram can also give us information that makes the pelvic exam easier.