The later term abortion is termed when the woman undergoes an abortion in the third trimester of her pregnancy. Typically women use abortion pills for pregnancy termination if its gestation is not crossing the 9th week. However, for the second trimester, healthcare providers recommend surgical abortion.
Speaking of abortion in the third trimester, it is usually not recommended to have an abortion during this phase. Be it medical or surgical. After the gestation crosses its 21st week, the pregnancy stage becomes complex than ever before.
How is later-term abortion performed?
- Dilation
- Evacuation
Both procedures have to be performed at a clinic or hospital. Unlike the first trimester abortion which can be performed at home with the help of abortion pills such as Mifepristone and Misoprostol, the surgical abortion in the later pregnancy cannot be performed at home.
What to expect:
When you undergo the later-abortion procedure, you are initially kept under observation to see if there’s more risk or complication involved. Your healthcare provider may inform you in advance if there’s any complication involved while terminating the pregnancy.
After giving certain abortion pills, the doctor softens and dilates the cervix. You have to perform a pelvic exam, following which the doctor uses a speculum to widen the vaginal opening.
After this, the healthcare provider inserts the dilating stick into the cervix and carefully removes the pregnancy tissues from the body. For this, the doctor also uses vacuum suction and other surgical instruments. Ultrasound guidance helps make the procedure less complicated.
What are the side effects of the procedure:
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Breast soreness
- Heavy bleeding
- Clots passing
- Fever
The latter term abortion may not always be successful with long-term impact on the woman. In some cases, it can also lead to complications such as infection to the vagina/cervix. Also, the latter term abortion can have bitter effects on future pregnancies.
Hence, it is advised that women take the decision in the first trimester itself. If you get stuck into an unwanted pregnancy situation, you can speak to your partner or someone you trust.
Medical abortion before the first 9 weeks of pregnancy or surgical abortion before the first 21 weeks of pregnancy is considered safe to perform having high chances of successful pregnancy termination.
Economically speaking, medical abortion is a low-cost solution to an unwanted pregnancy. Later comes surgical abortion within 21 weeks of pregnancy. The late-term abortion is comparatively expensive as it involves more risks and complications.