In theUK this is usually carried out under general anaesthesia but some employ local anaesthetics. It is usually a day-case procedure. The cervix (neck of the womb) is gently stretched (dilated). A special suction catheter is then introduced through the cervix into the cavity of the womb. The catheter is connected to a suction pump and the womb is carefully emptied.
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
- Antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent post-abortal upper genital tract infection in women with bacterial vaginosis: Randomised controlled trial (2001)
- Comparison of vaginal misoprostol and gemeprost as pre-treatment in first trimester pregnancy interruption. (1999)
- Oral misoprostol versus mifepristone for cervical dilatation before vacuum aspiration in first trimester nulliparous pregnancy: A double blind prospective randomised study (1996)
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What does the term abortion mean?
- 2 What are the legal criteria that permit doctors to terminate a pregnancy in the UK?
- 3 How could we tell if there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped - e.g. Down Syndrome?
- 3A What is Tay Sachs and should we test for it?
- 4 How prevalent is pregnancy termination?
- 5 Why do unwanted pregnancies occur?
- 6 I think I may be pregnant and I do not want to have a baby now. What should I do?
- 7 Should I terminate my pregnancy for social reasons?
- 8 How can my pregnancy be terminated?
- 9 What does a suction (surgical) termination of pregnancy involve?
- 10 What is a medical abortion?
- 11 What will happen to me if I have a medical abortion?
- 12 How do medical and surgical pregnancy termination compare?
- 13 What are the chances of medical termination failing?
- 14 What are the risks of pregnancy termination?
- 15 Why is there debate about the ethics of pregnancy termination?
- 16 Support Groups.
- 17 Where can I obtain more information?
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
