Surgical Abortion: Types, Side Effects, Risks And Complications

What is a surgical abortion?

When the pregnancy is terminated using surgical means, it is called surgical abortion. This procedure is done when a woman is more than 10-weeks pregnant. It is considered to be safe, with a rare risk of any complications.

Types of surgical abortions

There are two types of surgical abortions:

• Vacuum Aspiration Abortion – This procedure is done when a woman is in the first trimester (14 -16 weeks).
• D&E Abortion (Dilation & Evacuation) – This procedure is done when a woman is 14-16 weeks pregnant or more. It is generally advised to not have sex for up to 2 weeks after undergoing a surgical abortion as having sexual intercourse (usually vaginal and oral) may build up the risk of infections.

Preparation

Before undergoing a surgical abortion, there are certain things which need to be kept in mind. Your doctor will tell you what all precautions to take.

• You are advised not to eat anything for a specific period of time before the procedure. This will be specified by your doctor.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
• Smoking and drinking (not even water) need to be strictly avoided for at least 6 hours before the procedure.

Surgical abortion procedures

Vacuum Aspiration Abortion – Aspiration abortions, also called vacuum aspirations, are the most common type of surgical abortions. Under this procedure, the patient is given pain medication, which may include a numbing medication that is injected into the cervix. You may also be given a sedative, which will allow you to stay awake but be extremely relaxed. After this, the doctor will insert a tube through the cervix into the uterus, which is attached to a suction device. This will empty the uterus. The woman might feel a pulling or dragging sensation during the procedure.

After the procedure is carried out, the doctor might check your uterus in order ensure that it is completely empty. Sometimes, antibiotics are also prescribed to prevent any kind of infection.

Women may experience mild cramps for up to 2 days after the procedure. It is also common to bleed or spot for up to 2 weeks after the abortion.

D&E Abortion (Dilation and Evacuation) – This early termination is normally suggested by the specialist in case you are more than 13 weeks pregnant. A little cannula (an exceptionally fine plastic cylinder) is set in a vein, typically in your grasp. General sedative medicine is given through the cannula to make you sleep. Once you are asleep, the woman’s legs are set in upholds and the specialist analyses her uterus (womb). A speculum is embedded into the woman’s vagina. The aperture of her cervix might be extended with thin rods called dilators. The pregnancy is eliminated utilizing tight forceps which go through the neck of the womb. A tube is then embedded through the cervix and a pull machine is utilized to delicately finish the procedure. No aggravation is felt during the technique, which requires around 10-20 minutes, from beginning to end. The patient will wake in the recuperation region and will be observed for 1-2 hours before returning home. After the procedure is done, women may encounter gentle squeezing up to 2 days and bleeding or spotting up to 14 days.

Side effects of surgical abortion:

Both vacuum aspiration abortion and D&E abortion are included in surgical abortions. There may be some potential side effects that these procedures entail. Some are as follows:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Bleeding, blood clots, cramping
• Nausea, sweating
• Dizziness

Risks and complications of the procedure of surgical abortion

Complications are usually rare in both the procedures. The risk of complications depends on how many weeks of pregnancy the woman has. Abortions performed in the first trimester are the safest. Most surgical abortions are performed in the first trimester. Thus, it becomes extremely important to choose the right specialist for the process. Expert gynecologists handle complications with ease making the woman comfortable with the procedure.

Complications of surgical abortion may include:

1)Hemorrhage – Bleeding after an abortion should be similar to a menstrual period. If heavy bleeding occurs, the chances are that the abortion is not complete. Sometimes, treatment for this may be a suction curettage of the uterus.

2)Infection – A fever (high temperature) may indicate that the woman has an infection. This is generally caused by incomplete abortion or a sexually transmitted infection. Sometimes, women may develop a chronic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Antibiotics may be prescribed for the treatment.

3)Injury to uterus – The walls of the uterus are muscular but soft. Sometimes, the surgical instruments used for an abortion can injure the uterus. It is rare but can cause an abdominal infection and/or severe blood loss and hence, must be recognized and treated right away.

4)Injury to the cervix – The cervix is stretched during an abortion. If one has had multiple procedures, the cervix may weaken – this is sometimes called an ‘incompetent’ cervix.

5)Retained products of conception – If the procedure is not performed well by the surgeon with sufficient experience, remnants of the pregnancy may be left behind in the uterus.

6)Allergic reaction to medication – It is very rare for females to experience allergic reactions to medications such as antibiotics, sedatives, etc. A specialist doctor can deal with such a situation easily.

Book an appointment at Yashoda Hospital and get the best  and safe treatment for surgical abortion.

Best Hospitals or Doctors for surgical abortion in Ghaziabad & Delhi NCR

It is very important that the procedure is carried out safely by a specialist doctor with sufficient experience. Our experts at Yashoda Hospital:

1) Dr. Shashi Arora – She is the best Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Delhi NCR. With a medical experience spanning a period of more than 40 years, she has performed 60,000+ deliveries till date. She specializes in all women-related issues including hysterectomy and advanced laparoscopy surgery.

2) Dr. Jyotsana Agarwal – She has a medical experience of 30 years. An esteemed member of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI), Dr. Agarwal offers a number of medical services including treatment of diseases during pregnancy amongst others.

3) Dr. Aparna Arya Tyagi – She has hands-on experience in high risk obstetrics and management, complicated cesarean sections, laparoscopic and open gynae surgeries and family planning procedures. Dr. Aparna Tyagi specializes in preventive oncology of female reproductive organs.