As the fetus grows and develops in these later weeks, different surgical abortion procedures are required to terminate the pregnancy. Keep reading to learn about the first- and second-trimester surgical abortion procedures.
Suction Curettage Abortions
In a Suction Curettage abortion, the cervix is dilated so that the fetal tissue can be pulled apart and removed by a suction device. In order to ensure all of the fetal tissue was removed, the abortion provider may use a curette to scrape the uterus.
A Suction Curettage abortion is available in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.
Dilation and Evacuation Abortion
Second-trimester surgical abortion procedures require a more invasive process due to the mature state of the fetus at this stage in pregnancy.
Like first-trimester abortion procedures, a Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) abortion involves first dilating the cervix, however, the fetal tissue is then broken down into smaller pieces of bone and tissue in order for it to be small enough for removal. The abortion provider may use forceps, suctioning, and scraping techniques.