Aspiration Abortion

Aspiration abortion is a safe method of ending a pregnancy where a trained healthcare professional inserts a small, sterile tube into the uterus and empties the contents by gentle suction.

The procedure starts with the medical provider doing a pelvic exam to feel the size, shape, and position of the uterus. The provider will then place a speculum into the vagina to hold the vaginal walls open.

A numbing medicine is injected into the cervix. The injection may cause a pinching and burning sensation which lasts about 3-5 seconds.

The cervix is then dilated, or gently stretched open with a series of tapered rods called dilators. Once the cervix is open, a small sterile tube is inserted into the uterus and light suction is used to remove the contents of the uterus.

The whole procedure takes less than 10 minutes. Everyone’s experience is different, but most patients feel moderate to intense period-like abdominal cramping while the uterus is emptying.

After the procedure, you rest for 10-20 minutes, or as long as you need to feel comfortable. We give you something to eat and drink, and a heating pad for your belly. We review your aftercare instructions with you. Most patients return to work or school the next day.

We will provide you with written aftercare instructions along with a 24-hour number where you can reach us if you have any urgent needs.

Aspiration abortion is 98% effective. We can use the ultrasound after the aspiration is finished to ensure that the uterus has been emptied completely and you are no longer pregnant.

Aspiration abortion is one of the safest medical procedures available today.

Medication abortion and aspiration abortion are equally safe.

Aspiration abortion does not effect your ability to get pregnant in the future.

The risk of uterine infection or retained tissue is less than one in a hundred.

The risk of serious complication requiring hospitalization is less than one in one thousand.

The risk of death is fewer than 1 in 100,000. The risk of death from childbirth is 10-20 times higher than from an early abortion.

Side effects of aspiration abortion might include spotting or period-like bleeding and cramping for the days or week following the procedure.

Patients may feel light-headed or woozy immediately following the procedure, a symptom which typically dissipates within 20 minutes.

People may choose an aspiration abortion over a medication abortion because the procedure occurs in one office visit, and when they leave, they know they are no longer pregnant.

It is only appropriate for pregnancies that are in the uterus, not ectopic pregnancies, which occur outside of the uterus.

At All Families, we do aspiration up to 12 weeks. To estimate how far along your pregnancy is now, use the Gestational Age Estimator.

An alternative to aspiration abortion is medication abortion, in which two medications, most commonly, mifepristone and misoprostol, are used to induce a miscarriage. Like aspiration abortions, medication abortion is very safe and effective.

Or, you could decide not to have an abortion at all, and instead continue the pregnancy. Once you give birth, you could either raise the child yourself or place the child for adoption. Information for these options are available on our resources page.