Location Icon 1315 Main Avenue, Suite 230, Durango, CO 81301
Location Icon 1315 Main Avenue, Suite 230, Durango, CO 81301
Location Icon 1315 Main Avenue, Suite 230, Durango, CO 81301

What is Surgical Abortion?

Surgical abortion is a medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy through surgical intervention. The specific technique used depends on factors such as gestational age, medical history, and individual circumstances. 

Types of Surgical Abortion Procedures

First Trimester

A suction (vacuum) aspiration abortion is performed during the first trimester, up to 16 weeks of pregnancy. Here’s how it works:

  • Before the procedure, small instruments or a medication is used to open (dilate) the cervix.
  • Misoprostol may also be given to soften the cervix.
  • During the procedure itself, a suction device is used to remove the fetus.  

Second Trimester

A dilation and evacuation (D&E) is a surgical abortion most often performed in the second trimester. This procedure is usually performed under anesthesia. It’s more complex than a suction (vacuum) aspiration abortion due to the fetus’s size.

Here’s how it works:

  • Cervix Dilation: The day before, sponge-like sticks (laminaria) are inserted into the cervix, absorbing moisture to expand and open it gradually. Medication may also be used overnight to soften the cervix.  
  • Procedure: During the procedure itself, a suction device and tools like forceps are used to remove the fetus.

Surgical Abortion Side Effects and Risks  

Both surgical abortion procedures carry risks such as:  

  • Uterine Perforation: An instrument may accidentally puncture the uterus, possibly needing surgical repair.[1]
  • Asherman Syndrome: Scar tissue inside the uterus from repeated procedures can impact future fertility.[2]  
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Bacteria introduced during surgery may cause infection in the reproductive tract.[3]  
  • Intense Pain: Studies show second-trimester abortions like D&E can be more painful than expected.[4] 

How Much Does Surgical Abortion Cost?

On average, a surgical abortion in Colorado can cost between $600-850.[5]

Prices vary depending on several factors, including: 

  • How far along you are (your gestational age)
  • The type of procedure you receive
  • Your insurance coverage

Additional costs may include consultation fees, laboratory tests, ultrasounds, and follow-up care, which can add to the total expense.

Is Abortion Legal in Colorado?

Currently, abortion is legal all throughout pregnancy in Colorado.[6] We recommend receiving an ultrasound before an abortion. Keep reading to learn why.

Why You Need an Ultrasound Before an Abortion

Before considering any abortion procedure, it’s crucial to receive an ultrasound to determine:

  • Viability: An ultrasound determines if your pregnancy is viable and growing inside the uterus by detecting the fetal heartbeat. If it cannot be detected, it may indicate that a miscarriage (spontaneous loss of a pregnancy) is occurring. This requires alternative medical care.

This could also mean that the pregnancy is growing in another location, which is known as ectopic pregnancy. This is a life-threatening situation that requires emergency care. 

  • Gestational Age: Gestational age refers to how far along you are in pregnancy. This information is critical because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestation (or 70 days or less since the first day of your last menstrual period).[7]

*Important note: Please be aware that this article is not meant to substitute for medical advice or treatment. The purpose of our limited ultrasound exams is to identify a pregnancy inside the uterus, detect the fetal heartbeat, and estimate how far along you are. If there is no detectable heartbeat, it may indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy is occurring. If we cannot detect a fetal heartbeat during your appointment, we will provide appropriate referrals for follow-up care and treatment. 

Surgical Abortion Information in Durango, Colorado

When your pregnancy test comes back positive, it can be easy to panic. Don’t let fear make the final decision for you. Get the care and support you deserve at Pathways PRC. 

We provide free pregnancy resources, so you can make the best decision for your unplanned pregnancy:

  • Free pregnancy tests – Confirm your pregnancy with medical-grade testing
  • Free ultrasounds – Determine gestational age and confirm pregnancy viability
  • A safe, non-judgmental place to explore your pregnancy options and process your emotions
  • Compassionate support from trained staff who understand what you’re going through
  • Resource connections to help you access additional support services
  • Education about all your options including parenting and adoption resources

Give us a call at 970-247-5559 or schedule your appointment online. All services are confidential and free of charge!

Make an Appointment

Please note: Pathways Pregnancy Resource Center provides information and pregnancy services but does not perform or refer for abortion procedures or emergency contraception. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does each procedure take?

A suction (vacuum) aspiration abortion takes up to 10 minutes, while a dilation & evacuation takes up to 20 minutes.[8] However, you’ll spend several hours at the clinic for preparation, the procedure itself, and recovery.

Is abortion painful?

Pain levels vary from person to person, but late-term abortions often involve more discomfort than early-term procedures due to the pregnancy’s progression. 

Studies show that abortions can be more painful the further along you are in pregnancy. Studies have found that women who received late-term abortions experienced more pain than they expected during their procedures.[4] 

Can I get pregnant again right after a surgical abortion?

You can get pregnant again as soon as ovulation returns. One study found that after surgical abortion (under 12 weeks), ovulation resumed between 6 to 21 days.[9]

If a woman is sexually active around that time, she could get pregnant again.

Will surgical abortion affect my ability to get pregnant in the future?

Abortion can cause two conditions that affect fertility: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)[3] and Asherman’s Syndrome.[10] Women who have had multiple surgical abortions are at greater risk of developing Asherman’s Syndrome.[2]

Both conditions can have a negative impact on fertility and make it harder to get pregnant in the future.

Sources

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, April 5). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm
  2. Mayo Clinic. (2024, July 6). Elective Abortion: Does it Affect Subsequent Pregnancies? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551
  3. Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
  4. Dzuba, I. G., Chandrasekaran, S., Fix, L., Blanchard, K., & King, E. (2022, May 12). Pain, Side Effects, and Abortion Experience Among People Seeking Abortion Care in the Second Trimester. Women’s Health Reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9148646/
  5. As advertised by abortion providers.
  6. Colorado General Assembly. (2022, March 23). Reproductive Health Equity Act. https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1279 
  7. FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
  8. As advertised by abortion providers.
  9. Schreiber, C. A., Sober, S., Ratcliffe, S., & Creinin, M. D. (2011). Ovulation resumption after medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol. Contraception, 84(3), 230–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2011.01.013
  10. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, January 8). Asherman’s Syndrome. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16561-ashermans-syndrome

Sources:

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, October 15). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm
  2. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. (2020). Medication abortion up to 70 days of gestation. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 136(4), 855-858. doi:10.1097/ aog.0000000000004083. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/10/medication-abortion-up-to-70-days-of-gestation#
  3. Stevenson MM, Radcliffe KW. Preventing pelvic infection after abortion. Int J STD AIDS. 1995 Sep-Oct;6(5):305-12. doi: 10.1177/095646249500600501. PMID: 8547409.
  4. Bridwell RE, Long B, Montrief T, Gottlieb M. Post-abortion Complications: A Narrative Review for Emergency Clinicians. West J Emerg Med. 2022 Oct 23;23(6):919-925. doi: 10.5811/ westjem.2022.8.57929. PMID: 36409940; PMCID: PMC9683756.
  5. Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
  6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2016). Mifeprex Medication Guide. https://www.fda.gov/media/72923/download
  7. Paul, E. S. Lichtenberg, L. Borgatta, D. A. Grimes, P. G. Stubblefield, & M. D. Creinin (Eds.), 2009. Medical abortion in early pregnancy in Management of unintended and abnormal pregnancy: Comprehensive abortion care (pp.122-29). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
  8. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. (2019). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/pelvic-inflammatory-disease
  9. Swingle, H. M., Colaizy, T. T., Zimmerman, M. B., Morriss, F. H. (2009). Abortion and the risk of subsequent preterm birth: A systematic review with meta-analyses. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 54(2), 95–108.
  10. Shah, P. S., Zao, J. (2009). Induced termination of pregnancy and low birthweight and preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analyses. British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 116(11), 1425–42. doi: 10.1111/j.1471- 0528.2009.02278.x.
  11. Moreau, C., Kaminski, M., Ancel, P.Y., Bouyer, J., et al (2005). Previous induced abortions and the risk of very preterm delivery: Results of the EPIPAGE study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol,5,112(4):430–37.
  12. Ancel, P.Y., Lelong, N., Papiernik, E., Saurel-Cubizolles, M.J., Kaminski, M (2004). History of induced abortion as a risk factor for preterm birth in European countries: Results