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

Surgical Abortion Procedures

The most common surgical abortion method is aspiration. This method surgically removes the embryo (conception to 11th week of pregnancy) or fetus (11th week to birth) from the uterus.

Aspiration/Suction Abortion:

  • Most common surgical abortion method
  • Uses suction device to remove embryo or fetus through the vagina
  • Performed at an abortion clinic as an outpatient procedure
  • Typically completed the same day

If you are planning to have an abortion, there are important steps to take first.

Step 1: Confirm your pregnancy and gestational stage
Step 2: Be sure you are making an informed choice, having considered your other options: placing your baby for adoption or parenting
Step 3: Consider the Risks and Complications

Understanding potential risks helps you make a fully informed decision about abortion procedures.

Complications and Risks

Incomplete Abortion[1]:

  • Failure to remove all fetal tissue completely
  • More common with abortion pill than surgical procedures
  • May require additional surgical intervention to prevent infection or bleeding
  • Occurs in approximately 2-7% of medication abortions

Failed Abortion[2]:

  • Pregnancy continues despite abortion attempt
  • More common with medication abortion
  • May require surgical procedure to complete abortion
  • Some women choose to continue pregnancy when this occurs

Infection Risk[3][4][5]:

  • Can result from instrument insertion or retained tissue
  • May develop into serious pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • Severe cases can lead to sepsis (life-threatening body-wide infection)
  • Can cause scarring that impacts future fertility

Hemorrhage (Heavy Bleeding)[6]:

  • Approximately 1 in 100 women using the abortion pill require surgical intervention for bleeding
  • May require emergency medical treatment
  • Can be life-threatening if not treated promptly

Physical Injury[7]:

  • Risk of cervical or uterine damage from surgical instruments
  • Rare but serious complications include organ puncture
  • Risk increases with later gestational age
  • May require surgical repair

 

Long-Term Health Considerations

Impact on Future Pregnancies[8][9][10][11][12]:

  • Research indicates increased risk of preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies
  • Studies show potential link to low birth weight in future babies
  • Risk may be higher with multiple abortions
  • Discuss personal risk factors with a healthcare provider

Step 4: Get Tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) to protect your overall reproductive health

Step 5: Ensure that you have someone to support your physical and emotional needs after the procedure.

Pathways Pregnancy Resource Center offers reproductive loss support after an abortion, miscarriage or still birth.
Give us a call at 970-247-5559 or make an appointment online today.

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. 

Pathways Pregnancy Resource Center provides generally accepted medical information and pregnancy services but does not perform or refer for abortion procedures or emergency contraception. All information on this site is subject to change and should not be considered medical or legal advice. Please consult your own professional in the event of specific medical or legal needs.

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