There are five methods of abortion: Medication Abortion: an abortion using pills. The abortion medication is taken by the pregnant woman, the embryo loses its source of nourishment and is later expelled. Suction / Vacuum Aspiration: First trimester surgical procedure performed under local or general anesthesia. Using the suction aspiration method, the embryo is sucked out of the uterus using a vacuum device. Dilation & Curettage (D&C): First trimester surgical procedure performed under local or general anesthesia. During a D&C, the embryo is surgically scraped from the uterus. Dilation and Evacuation (D&E): Second trimester surgical procedure performed under sedation. During a D&E, the fetus is dismembered within the uterus and removed via forceps. Induction Abortion: Second and third trimester procedure. The birth is induced. If the fetus is beyond the age of viability, it is given a lethal injection prior to delivery.