- Your Pregnancy Situation
- Surgical Abortion Summary
- Surgical Abortion Procedures
- Risks
- Complications
- Factors
- Questions
- Clinic Research
- Contact Us
Your Pregnancy Situation
You may be on this page because you are thinking about an abortion, because you have an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy. You may be feeling unprepared, alone, some other emotions, and are unsure what to do next. You may have many questions. Your feelings and your concerns are important.
Women may have different and sometimes unexpected experiences during and after an abortion – physically, emotionally, and mentally. American Psychological Association (APA) research indicates it is important that women’s varied experiences of abortion be recognized, validated, and understood.1
You are not alone. There is help. And you have several pregnancy options (alternatives).
Network Medical is the first best step to help you to go from feeling unprepared to clearly understanding your options, so you feel peace, confident, and in control. Our supportive expert team provides diagnostic medical services to assist you in your abortion and pregnancy decisions. All our services and information are FREE. We can help you understand some possible abortion pill experiences you may have. We carefully listen and then walk through the abortion pill details with you to help answer your abortion questions and provide information for your particular needs. We inform, you decide.
To know which type of abortion might be an option, an important step is an ultrasound exam which confirms the pregnancy viability and determines the gestational age of your pregnancy. This helps determine the type and cost of an abortion. Gestational age is the common term used during pregnancy to describe how far along the pregnancy is. It is measured in weeks, from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual cycle to the current date.
There are two abortion types: Surgical Abortion and Abortion Pill / Medical Abortion. Both abortion types should be supervised and guided by licensed medical professionals. Both types of abortion have some possible health risks, side effects, and complications for the women who use them, so knowing those details will help you in your decision. Post-abortion (after abortion) effects and follow-up care are important to understand also.
Take your first best step and make an appointment today.
A surgical abortion is completed by surgically removing the contents of the uterus to end a pregnancy. The abortion surgery takes place in a clinic setting by licensed medical personnel.
There are currently two legal surgical abortion procedure methods in California.2,3 The difference is when and how each abortion procedure is done. A surgical abortion takes place in an abortion clinic or similar setting by licensed medical personnel.
- Suction / Vacuum Aspiration – between 6 to 16 weeks gestational age.
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) – between 16 to 24 weeks gestational age.
Gestational age is the common term used during pregnancy to describe how far along the pregnancy is. It is measured in weeks, from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual cycle to the current date.
Since it is a surgical procedure, surgical abortion has different risks, side effects, and complications than medical abortion, though both abortion methods have some similarities. With any medical procedure that affects your health, you should be aware of the surgical abortion details since it can affect your short term and long-term future.
The other abortion option is Medical Abortion / the Abortion Pill, which uses medication to end a pregnancy.
Before starting the abortion procedure, you must confirm you are pregnant with a viable pregnancy. This can be done with a pregnancy test and ultrasound.
Network Medical is the best first step for you in this process by providing a FREE pregnancy test, ultrasound, information about pregnancy and abortion options, details about the surgical abortion process, and possible experiences you may have during and after the abortion.
Before an abortion, an STD test and treatment can prevent serious problems. Bacteria can move into the reproductive tract during a medical or surgical abortion procedure, and cause permanent damage if the person has an STD.4 Network Medical offers FREE STD testing, treatment, and education.
Suction / Vacuum Aspiration Abortion 2
This surgical abortion method is sometimes also called a suction abortion, vacuum abortion, or first trimester abortion. This abortion procedure is done at 6 to 16 weeks gestational age. This procedure usually takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Recovery may require a stay at the clinic for up to 5 hours.
- A vaginal speculum is inserted to spread and hold open the vaginal walls.
- A numbing solution is administered to the cervix.
- A tenaculum (a surgical instrument that resembles a pair of scissors with sharp pointed hooks at the end) is used to hold the cervix open so that it can be stretched wide enough by cone shaped rods to insert a cannula (a long plastic tube connected to a suction device).
- The cannula will then suction out the contents of the uterus.
- If complications or issues exist, then additional medical care by the abortion provider and/or other medical professionals may be required, such as a Dilation and Curettage (D&C) procedure.4,5
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) Abortion 3
This surgical abortion method is sometimes also called an evacuation abortion or second trimester abortion. This abortion procedure is done at 16 to 24 weeks gestational age. This surgical abortion procedure normally takes about 30 minutes, with extended recovery time.
- Usually 24 hours before a D&E abortion, the abortion provider will insert laminaria or a synthetic dilator inside the cervix.
- At the time of the abortion procedure, sedation may be used. Some women may need deeper sedation.
- Cone-shaped rods of increasing size are used to stretch the cervix to prepare for the cannula. Depending on the gestational age, some providers may deliver a shot with a long needle through your abdomen to cause fetal demise before the procedure begins.
- The cannula is inserted to begin removing the fetus from the lining of the uterus. The lining is scraped with a curette (a surgical instrument designed for scraping biological tissue or debris) to remove any residual fetal parts. If the fetus is larger, forceps may be used to remove larger parts. Some providers prefer to crush the skull for easier extraction.
- After the procedure, the woman needs to demonstrate stable vital signs, good pain control, and minimal vaginal bleeding before being released. A health-care professional trained in management of recovery care who can provide basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and related emergency care must monitor the woman during this time.
- If complications or issues exist, then additional medical care by the abortion provider and/or other medical professionals may be required, such as a Dilation and Curettage (D&C) procedure. 5 ,6
A Surgical Abortion is a major decision since it is a medical procedure, with possible physical, mental, and emotional impact on your health. Therefore, it is important that you understand the step-by-step abortion process, legal issues, risks, side effects, possible complications, and alternatives.1
It is wise to review the process ahead of time with a licensed medical professional, so you understand everything completely. Network Medical can help inform you.
Surgical abortion risks can include the following: 2, 7, 8, 11, 12
- Sedation – some women may need deeper sedation
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Infection of the uterus
- Infection of the fallopian tubes (which can cause scarring and infertility which means unable to have a pregnancy in the future)
- Puncture (perforation) of the uterus
- Scarring of the uterine lining (suction tubing, curettes and other abortion instruments may cause permanent scarring of the uterine lining)
- Damage to the cervix (creating complications with future pregnancies)
- Side effects and complications – see sections below.
- Death, in rare circumstances
Side effects may include physical and mental issues, and emotional feelings a person may have during or after an abortion.
Possible surgical abortion side effects can include: 1, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Pelvic / abdominal pain – requiring pain management methods
- Intense painful cramping of the uterus – possibly for a few weeks
- Vaginal bleeding – excessive bleeding may require surgery to stop it
- Breast engorgement / lactation
- Emotional / psychological impact / distress
Complications are a secondary condition a person may have during or after an abortion.
Possible surgical abortion complications can include: 1, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Hemorrhaging – excessive bleeding may require surgery to stop it
- Infection – indicated by fever, pain, foul smelling discharge, can lead to death
Emotional / psychological impact / distress – may require medical or psychological assistance
During your visit to Network Medical, we can discuss with you these topics below and other topics that are important to you.
Miscarriage
About one (1) out of five (5) pregnancies end in a miscarriage, which is a spontaneous loss of a pregnancy, so you may not need to take any action if this occurs. We can explain details about this during your visit
Your Rights
If you are unsure about what to do with your pregnancy, do not get a surgical abortion or take the abortion pill impulsively. If you have questions, are unsure, are being pressured or misled into an abortion, or are having second thoughts about abortion, consider speaking with the caring, knowledgeable Network Medical team. Please note that Network Medical staff do not provide legal advice.
Abortion Costs
There are potential costs involved with an abortion, including financial, physical, mental health, social, and others. We can discuss this during your visit.
Here are just a few pregnancy and abortion questions you may be asking, or you may have heard from others. At your FREE appointment, our team can help answer these questions below and others you may have.
- How do I know for sure if I’m pregnant?
- Are there pros and cons of surgical abortion?
- What are possible risks, side effects, and complications of surgical abortion?
- Is surgical abortion painful?
- How much does surgical abortion cost?
- What are the best pregnancy and abortion options for my situation?
What type of abortion should I get?
If you believe that abortion is the right choice for you then you should carefully research the abortion clinic about their abortion procedure.
There are some things that abortion providers may not readily tell you, so Network Medical can help fill in those gaps at your FREE appointment.
Abortion Clinic Questions
Here are a few initial questions to ask an abortion clinic – we can help guide you through these and other issues you should address.
- Is the abortion provider a licensed medical clinic?
- Will a licensed OB/GYN physician perform the abortion procedure?
- Do they clearly and completely explain your legal rights?
- Do they clearly explain all the risks, side effects, and possible complications?
- What type of after-abortion care, both physical and emotional / mental, do they provide, if any?
- Do they provide reviews from other patients who have used their abortion services?
Abortion Clinic Issues
Consider if you feel pressured or rushed to get an abortion by the abortion clinic or anyone else. If you do, take a pause, and talk with someone who can help you. Network Medical is available for you.
Ask to speak with other patients who have used their services to understand their experience – the positives and negatives.
Look at the abortion clinic’s Yelp, Google, and other reviews online.
Get Expert Care! Call us at 805-967-9096 or schedule an appointment.
At your appointment, you will be able to discuss the full range of options (abortion, un planned parenthood / parenting, adoption) including the details for each option, so you can make the best choice for your situation and feel confident about your decision.
Whether you choose abortion, unplanned parenthood / parenting, or adoption, you can trust the information you receive as accurate and unbiased because we do not receive financial profit from any choice you make.
We do not perform or refer for abortions or arrange adoptions. Some other clinics and centers receive fees for these types of services; therefore, they may urge you to take those actions for their financial gain. We do provide referrals to other organizations for adoptions if you are interested in that option.
All services are FREE and confidential.
- FREE pregnancy testing – medical grade pregnancy test performed by a registered nurse.
- FREE pregnancy ultrasound – rule out possible life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, determine how far along you are, whether there is a presence or absence of a fetal heartbeat (viability), and assess your options based on your unique circumstances and needs.
- FREE abortion education – answer your questions and provide accurate, up-to-date medical information so you are equipped to make a fully informed choice.
- FREE STD testing and treatment
We value your privacy. You’re free to discuss your circumstances and situation in our non-judgmental and confidential setting.
Content is reviewed for accuracy by licensed Medical Professional(s) and staff editor(s). Our editorial process.
12 Sources / Citations
1 American Psychological Association (APA), Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion. (2008). Report of the Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/mental-health-abortion-report.pdf
2 CS Mott Children’s Hospital. (2023). Vacuum Aspiration for Abortion. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/tw1078
3 IPAS. (2018). Dilation and Evacuation. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://www.ipas.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DESTRE18-DilationEvacuationReferenceGuide.pdf
4 Mayo Clinic. (2022). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Retrieved November 15, 2024 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
5 Mayo Clinic. (2021). Dilation and curettage (D&C). Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910
6 Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Dilation and curettage (D&C). Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/4110-dilation-and-curettage-d–c
7 Mayo Clinic. (2023). Incompetent cervix. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/incompetent-cervix/symptoms-causes/syc-20373836
8 American Psychologist. (2009). Abortion and Mental Health – Evaluating the Evidence. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/amp-64-9-863.pdf
9 Mayo Clinic. (2022). Could an elective abortion increase the risk of problems in a subsequent pregnancy? Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551#:~:text=While%20many%20studies%20have%20shown,birth%20and%20low%20birth%20weight
10 Eastern Journal of Medicine. (2020). Psychological Effects of Abortion. An Updated
Narrative Review. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://jag.journalagent.com/ejm/pdfs/EJM_25_3_477_483.pdf
11 BMC Psychiatry. (2023). Global prevalence of post-abortion depression: Systematic review and Meta-analysis. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37884930/ and https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-023-05278-7#Sec27
12 Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences. (2013). Abortion and subsequent mental health: Review of the literature. Retrieved October 24, 2024 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23859662/ and https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pcn.12067