In a surgical abortion, medical tools are used to end the life of the unborn child, often requiring the child to be removed from the womb in parts.
What to Expect During the Process
Surgical abortions may involve different levels of anesthesia to help manage discomfort:
Local Anesthetic: Numbs the cervix, the opening to the womb.
Conscious Sedation: Keeps you awake but helps you feel more relaxed and reduces pain.
Deep Sedation or General Anesthesia: Allows you to sleep through the procedure.
Before the procedure, preparation is often needed to gently open the cervix, which naturally opens only during childbirth to welcome new life. This preparation can happen a few hours or 1–2 days in advance and may include:
Medications: Taken to soften the cervix.
Small Rods: Matchstick-like rods (made of materials like hydrogel or laminaria, a type of seaweed) are placed in the cervix and expand over time to create an opening.
Typically, an ultrasound is used beforehand to determine the age and position of the unborn child, providing a glimpse of the precious life growing within.
Types of Surgical Abortion
There are three primary methods of surgical abortion, and the one used depends on how far along the pregnancy is:
Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) This method is available up to 10 weeks after your last menstrual period. A handheld device, similar to a syringe, is used to carefully remove the embryo from the uterus through gentle suction. The procedure itself takes about 10 minutes, with additional time for preparation and recovery. A local anesthetic is typically provided to help ease any discomfort.
Dilation and Suction Curettage (D&C) This procedure is performed between 6 and 14 weeks after your last menstrual period. Known as a D&C, it involves using a mechanical suction tool to gently empty the uterus, including the embryo or fetus. Afterward, a small instrument called a curette is used to ensure the uterus is fully cleared. You may receive either a local or general anesthetic, and the procedure lasts around 10 minutes, with extra time for preparation and recovery.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) This method is used starting from the 13th week of pregnancy. The cervix is carefully widened to allow the use of medical tools, including forceps, a suction device, and a curette. Similar to a D&C, this procedure also uses forceps to assist in removing the fetus. Later in pregnancy, such procedures are often done due to serious medical concerns, such as risks to the mother’s health.
What You Might Feel
Some women may feel discomfort during a surgical abortion, which can feel like strong menstrual cramps, or experience mild pain. While other surgical methods exist for later stages of pregnancy, they are rarely used today. We share this with you not to cause fear, but to ensure you have the full picture as you prayerfully consider your path. If you’re feeling uncertain, we’re here to offer loving support, prayer, and alternatives that honor the life God has created.
