Comprehensive Women's Health Center

A doctor uses suction to empty your uterus.

A combination of medications ends the pregnancy and causes your uterus lining to shed.

During a visit to the clinic, a doctor places a speculum into your vagina. The doctor numbs the cervix and then gradually widens, or dilates, your cervix. Then, a tube is placed into your uterus. Suction, created by an electric machine or by a hand-held syringe, is applied on the other end of the tube and empties your uterus.

You will first swallow a medication that causes your pregnancy to stop growing. One to three days after swallowing the first medication, you will place into your vagina another medication. Your uterus will contract and you will have bleeding and cramping at home. You will return to the clinic to confirm that the abortion was successful.

98% of suction curettage abortions are successful; only about 2% of women need a repeat procedure or other intervention.

95-97% of women respond successfully to the medications. About 3-5% of women will need a suction curettage abortion due to continued pregnancy, prolonged or excessive bleeding, or patient choice.

5 weeks and 4 days to 12 weeks 4 days since the first day of your last menstrual period.

Women are often asked to wait until 6 weeks of pregnancy to decrease the possibility of leaving the pregnancy behind after the surgical procedure.  Earlier than 6 weeks, the procedure may be less effective.

5 weeks and 4 days to 9 weeks since the first day of your last menstrual period.

Medical abortion can be performed as soon as a woman knows she is pregnant. It is more effective and leads to less bleeding at earlier gestations (5-7 weeks compared to 8-9 weeks)

Usually requires one visit-- for health education, exam, and procedure. You may return to the clinic if you need follow-up care.

Requires at least two visits-- one for health education, exam, and medications and another to confirm that the abortion was successful. You may return to the clinic if you need further follow-up care.

1.5 hours

Most women experience some cramping during or after the short procedure.

Most women experience strong cramps and some women experience nausea or other side effects.

The doctor will apply numbing medication (local anesthesia) to your cervix. Oral medications to relax you and to control your discomfort are also used.

Anesthesia is not required. Most women are satisfied with over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen. We recommend ibuprofen, Tylenol  and/or Vicodin for pain relief if needed.

Women usually have light bleeding at home after the procedure for up to 2 weeks.

Women usually have heavy bleeding for several hours and bleed like a period for an average of 2 weeks. 

Yes, one friend, partner, or family member may accompany you during the health education, explanation of the procedure, and the procedure itself.

Yes, one friend, partner, or family member may accompany you during the health education and explanation of medical abortion. You must have someone with you at home on the day you place the second medication in your vagina.

No, but you must have a ride home if you opt to take sedating medications. It is preferable that you have a friend pick you up. Please bring extra money if you need to take a taxi home.

No, not during the clinic visit, but at home you must have someone with you and access to a telephone in case of questions or emergency.

When instruments and suction are placed into your vagina and uterus, there is a very small risk of cervical injury or uterine perforation that could require further care or abdominal surgery.

No instruments or suction will be used, so you will not be exposed to the chance of cervical injury and uterine perforation that rarely occur with surgical abortion. 

There is a small likelihood of infection after suction curettage abortion. You will be given antibiotics, which, if taken as directed, will reduce the chance that you will get an infection.

There is a very small likelihood of infection after medical abortion. We usually do not recommend antibiotics to prevent infection.

A member of our staff will be with you during your whole procedure and will monitor you during the recovery. The doctors and medical assistants will manage your side effects, such as cramping or excessive bleeding, immediately as they occur.

Since you will be at home during the actual abortion process, you take on more responsibility for your own care. We will give you written instructions on managing side effects and phone numbers to call with questions.

Will I be able to have children in the future?

There are no indications that suction curettage abortion affects a woman’s ability to have a baby when she is ready.

There are no indications that medical abortion affects a woman’s ability to have a baby when she is ready.