What is Abortion?
Abortion is the medically supervised termination of pregnancy before viability. It can happen naturally (a miscarriage) or be intentionally induced. This guide covers the main types, how they work, their safety, and legal aspects.
What are the types of Abortion?
Spontaneous vs. Induced Abortion
- Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage): Includes variations like threatened, inevitable, incomplete, complete, and missed/missed abortions—each defined by bleeding patterns and retained tissue.
- Induced abortion: This category includes medical and surgical methods, chosen based on pregnancy length, health factors, and personal preference.
What are the types of Self-induced Abortion?
1. Medical (Medication) Abortion
- Involves taking mifepristone followed 24–48 hrs later by misoprostol, which causes uterine contractions to pass pregnancy tissue.
- Approved and safe up to ~10–11 weeks gestation with a success rate of 92–98%.
2. Surgical Options
- Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA): A handheld suction method used up to ~12 weeks.
- Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA): Similar to MVA but powered; used early in pregnancy.
- Dilation & Curettage (D&C): Cervical dilation followed by uterine scraping, typically used in early to mid-pregnancy.
- Dilation & Evacuation (D&E): Combines dilation, suction, and forceps, used between ~13–24 weeks.
- Dilation & Extraction (D&X): A rare late-term procedure used under specific medical conditions.
- Induction Abortion: Labor is medically induced to end a pregnancy in the second or third trimester.
Safety Overview
When done legally and in medical settings, abortion (especially first-trimester surgical ones) is among the safest healthcare procedures—safer, statistically, than carrying a pregnancy to term. Unregulated abortions, however, are a major contributor to global maternal mortality.
Legal Landscape & Access
- In the US, medical abortion with mifepristone remains federally permitted and accessible via telehealth and mail after a June 2024 Supreme Court decision.
- Globally, laws vary widely: some countries allow abortion on demand, others restrict it severely—even barring it under all circumstances .
Conclusion
Understanding your abortion options—medical vs. surgical, timing, and legal status—is key to making informed, safe choices. When done under proper medical supervision, abortion is a low-risk procedure. If you’re considering it, consult a trusted provider for personalized care and support.
