Abortion options by the first trimester:
Many women opt for medical termination in their early week of gestation however there are few countries where abortion is also done till the first trimester. Abortion is legal in many parts of the world but laws vary.
- 61 countries permit abortion without any restrictions.
- 26 countries banned abortion with no objections.
- The remaining countries allow abortion with confinements, such as to save the women’s life or preserve her health.
Abortion is legal in some countries during the 1st and 2nd trimesters of their ongoing pregnancy. Most abortion is performed during the 1st trimester and the first trimester refers to the initial 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some countries allow abortion till 24th weeks, which is nearly the end of the 2nd trimester. Other bans it after 20 weeks.
However, in some cases, third-trimester abortion is often done only if the mother’s or the child’s life is in danger.
What are abortion types by pregnancy week?
- Up to 7-9 weeks- Medical Abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol
- After 14 weeks- Surgical Abortion (Dilation and Evacuation)
- Up to 16 weeks- Vaccum Aspiration
Let’s discuss the types of abortion in pregnancy period
Medical Abortion: A medical abortion is performed by taking 2 medicines: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. These medicines work together effectively to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. You can go for this option until your 7-9 week of pregnancy. However, there are some cases where medical abortion is prohibited; such as allergic to the abortion pills, bleeding disorder, kidney, liver or heart issues, an intrauterine device installed, etc.
Procedure: your medical provider will give you Mifepristone in the clinic or office. This medicine blocks the hormone progestin which is vital for the ongoing pregnancy, thus it stops the pregnancy from growing. The second medicine Misoprostol can be taken as a home medical abortion procedure after 1-2 days of taking Mifepristone. You can take this medicine buccally or vaginally. This medicine causes bleeding and the pregnancy is flushed out.
Recovery: Most women pass the pregnancy within 2-4 hours after taking the abortion pills so you should take ample rest and maintain a healthy diet to recover faster. Do not indulge in sexual activity until your doctor recommends you to.
Vacuum Aspiration: Vaccum aspiration is done in the first trimester (i.e first 12 weeks) of the pregnancy. This is also called suction aspiration. Some women choose this as the main method for having a medical abortion. Other women may need this if medical abortion fails to end their pregnancy.
This method is not an option for you if you have blood clotting issues, pelvic infection, severe health issues, etc.
Procedure: Vacuum aspiration is a procedure where gentle suction is used to pull the placenta and fetus out of the uterus. You can have this procedure at your doctor’s clinic or hospital.
Recovery: You might need to take 1-2 days off from work as it requires bed rest. Avoid sexual activity for a week after the vacuum aspiration.
Dilation and Aspiration: Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is a procedure that is used in the 2nd trimester, generally after the 14th week of pregnancy. It is commonly recommended for women who are not eligible for medical abortion or those who have fetus abnormality or medical problems.
Procedure: D& E uses a conjunction of forceps, vacuum aspiration and dilation and curettage (D and C). the process may be done over 1-2 day period.
Recovery: Side effects can stay for 2 weeks after the process, so you may need to take a few days off and rest. Eat a healthy diet to recover faster. Avoid heavy exercise for at least a week.