Abortion (Termination Of Pregnancy)

What Is It?

Abortion (also called elective abortion, induced abortion, termination of pregnancy and therapeutic abortion) is the removal of "pregnancy tissue," products of conception or the fetus and placenta (afterbirth) from the uterus. The terms fetus and placenta or afterbirth usually are used after eight weeks of pregnancy, while the other terms describe tissue produced by the union of an egg and sperm before eight weeks. Each year approximately 1.3 million women in the United States choose to end a pregnancy.

What It's Used For

In the United States, abortion is used most often to end an unplanned pregnancy. Unplanned pregnancies occur when birth control is not used or is used incorrectly. Abortion is also used to end a pregnancy when testing reveals that the fetus is abnormal. Therapeutic abortion refers to an abortion recommended when the mother's health is at risk.

Roughly one-half of all abortions are done during the first eight weeks of pregnancy; 88 percent during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Preparation

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and will examine you. Even if you used a home pregnancy test, another pregnancy test often is needed to confirm that you are pregnant. In some cases, you will need an ultrasound to determine how many weeks into the pregnancy you are and the size of the fetus, and to make sure the pregnancy is not ectopic (tubal), which means it is growing outside of the uterus.

A blood test will be done to determine your blood type and whether you are Rh positive or negative. The Rh protein is made by the red blood cells of most women. They are considered Rh positive. Some women have red blood cells that do not produce Rh protein. They are considered Rh negative. Pregnant women who have Rh-negative blood are at risk of reacting against fetal blood that is Rh positive. Such a reaction can harm future pregnancies, so Rh-negative women usually receive an injection of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) to prevent Rh-related problems after miscarriage or abortion.

How It's Done

Doctors can use medications, surgery or a combination of both to end a pregnancy. The method depends on how far along in the pregnancy you are, your medical history and your preference. Abortions during early pregnancy — before eight to nine weeks — can be done safely with medications. Abortions between nine and 14 weeks usually are done surgically, although medications may be used to help soften and open the cervix. After 14 weeks, abortion can be done by using only labor-inducing medications that cause uterine contractions, or by using these medicines in combination with surgery.