Abortion

Methods of inducing abortion

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Depending on the gestational age of the embryo or fetus, different methods of abortion can be performed to remove the embryo or fetus from the womb.

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Chemical abortion

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Chemical abortion, clinically known as medical abortion, comprises 10% of all abortions in the United States and Europe. Chemical abortion is a method used to induce abortion during the first trimester. Chemical abortion is accomplished by administering either methotrexate or mifepristone (RU-486) followed by administration of misoprostol. Misoprostol may also be used alone to induce abortion; however the need for surgical intervention is slightly elevated (about 10%), compared to the 8% of medical abortions using a combination of medications. Surgical intervention is primarily vacuum uterine aspiration (See below). Methotrexate can also treat undiagnosed or concomitant ectopic pregnancies.

Related Topics:
Chemical abortion - First trimester - Methotrexate - Mifepristone - Misoprostol - Ectopic pregnancies

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Surgical abortion

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In the first fifteen weeks, suction-aspiration or vacuum abortion are the most common methods, replacing the more risky dilation and curettage (D & C). Manual vacuum aspiration, or MVA abortion, consists of removing the fetus or embryo by suction using a manual syringe, while the Electric vacuum aspiration or EVA abortion method uses suction produced by an electric pump to remove the fetus or embryo. From the fifteenth week up until around the eighteenth week, a surgical dilation and evacuation (D & E) is used. D & E consists of opening the cervix of the uterus and emptying it using surgical instruments and suction.

Related Topics:
Suction-aspiration - Dilation and curettage - Manual vacuum aspiration - Fetus - Embryo - Syringe - Electric vacuum aspiration - Pump - Dilation and evacuation - Cervix - Uterus

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Dilation and suction curettage consists of emptying the uterus by suction using a different apparatus. Curettage refers to the cleaning of the walls of the uterus with a curette. Dilation and curettage (D & C) is a standard gynaecological procedure performed for a variety of reasons, such as examination.

Related Topics:
Dilation and suction curettage - Uterus - Curettage - Curette - Dilation and curettage

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As the fetus grows, other techniques must be used to induce abortion in the third trimester. Premature delivery of the human fetus can be induced with prostaglandin; this can be coupled with injecting the amniotic fluid with caustic solutions containing saline or urea. Very late abortions can be brought about by the controversial intact dilation and extraction (intact D & X) which requires the surgical decompression of the fetus's head before evacuation and is controversially termed "partial-birth abortion". A hysterotomy abortion, similar to a caesarian section but ending with a dead fetus, can also be used at late stages of pregnancy.

Related Topics:
Fetus - Trimester - Prostaglandin - Amniotic fluid - Saline - Urea - Intact dilation and extraction - Partial-birth abortion - Hysterotomy abortion - Caesarian section

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Other means of abortion

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Certain herbs are considered by some to be effective abortifacients. Using herbs in this way can cause serious side effects, including multiple organ failure and other serious injury, and are not recommended by physicians.{{ref|abortion7}} Many herbal recipes were compiled and published in medieval times under the name of Peter of Spain.

Related Topics:
Abortifacient - Medieval - Peter of Spain

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Physical trauma to a pregnant woman's womb can cause an abortion. The severity of the impact required to cause an abortion carries high risk of injury to the pregnant woman, without necessarily inducing a miscarriage. Both accidental and deliberate abortions of this kind carry criminal liability in many countries.{{ref|abortion8}}

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