Medical and Surgical Abortion - Meenakshi Hospital
There are several options a woman can choose from when she needs to terminate a pregnancy. Options include medical abortions, which involve taking medications, and surgical abortions. Your treatment options will depend on how many weeks the pregnancy is, your medical suitability and your personal choice. Both medical and surgical terminations are safe and effective when done in appropriate patients.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, also known as non-surgical abortion, is one way to terminate an early pregnancy using medications. A medical abortion, also known as medication abortion, occurs when pills are used to bring about an abortion. The abortion pill involves taking medicines to end the pregnancy. The recommended regimen consists of a combination of medications, starting with mifepristone followed by misoprostol.
Medical abortion is provided by trained health care providers in private office settings, family planning clinics and hospitals. A medical abortion can be performed from the time a woman suspects and confirms she is pregnant up until nine weeks from her last menstrual period. However, it is important to note that medical terminations are not as effective after 70 days, or 10 weeks, of pregnancy.
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion involves a minor operation that may be done with local anaesthetic, with sedation or rarely with general anesthetic. Surgical abortions are also called in-clinic abortions. They are typically more effective than a medical abortion, with a lower risk of an incomplete procedure. Types of surgical abortions include:
- Aspiration abortions (the most common type of surgical abortion).
Choosing the Right Procedure
The type of abortion a woman has often depends on how long it’s been since her last period. The choice of what type of abortion depends on availability, or access, how far along the pregnancy is, and patient preference. For any assistance, we're available 24/7 at Meenakshi Hospital.