Chapter 20: By Marinda Turkson

ABORTION

Abortion Methods/ Facts In a medication abortion the pregnancy is

interrupted using drugsIn vacuum aspiration, suction is used to terminate

the pregnancy 88 percent of most abortion are performed druing

the first trimester using vacuum aspiration or medication aborting

In the USA most second-trimester abortions are done by dilation of the cervix and the use of instruments

Termination of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation calculated from date of onset of last menses

__ Early abortion beore 12 weeks __ late Abortion from 12- 20 weeks Abortion is one of the most common surgical

procedures in the United States.

Things you need to know/Getting ready to get an Abortion Are there age requirements? What methods are available? How much does it cost and payment methods? Can someone else come with me? If you are planning to have lv sedation or general

anesthesia then you will be advised to avoid food after midnight.

Having anxiety is very normal Always give your self positive message Make sure to have all the paper work:

identification card as well as your insurance card Meditating, deep breathing would help you relax

before an abortion

Medication abortion Consists of two- drug regimen that ends a

pregnancy within the first nine weeks. The most common known in the USA is

Mifeprostone also known as Mifeprex RU-486 and Misoprostol.

It ends the pregnancy within the first nine weeks.

It is swallowed or inserted to the vagina Mifeprostone works by blocking progesterone Misoprostol is taken two days after

mifepristone, it causes the cervix to become soft and uterus to cramps

Types of Anesthesia and Symptoms

Local anesthesia : injection of medication to the cervix

General anesthesia: administration of drugs to cause unconsciousness

Iv sedation: injection of pain medication into a veinVomiting, nausea, drowsiness, some allergic

reactionHeavy Bleeding Pain FeverContinued symptoms of pregnancy

The end