Abortion methods

• Also called "vacuum aspiration" or "vacuum curettage"

• Used in 90% of all abortions performed during the first trimester.
• A tube (often with a sharp cutting edge) is inserted through the cervix into the uterus and connected to a strong suction apparatus.
• The powerful vacuum dismembers the baby and placenta and sucks them into a collection bottle.
• While the baby is extremely small body parts are often easily identified.
• The abortionist will usually examine the parts to ensure all contents of the uterus are removed.
• This method sometimes follows a D & C abortion.

  Potential complications to the mother may include: 

  • Infections
  • Damage and pain in the cervix and uterus 

• These abortions are usually done before 12 weeks

• The cervix is dilated to permit insertion of a loop-shaped knife used to cut the baby into pieces and scrape him or her from the uterine wall.
• Body parts are pulled out piece by piece through the cervix.

RU 486

• Used between the fifth and ninth weeks of pregnancy.

• Requires at least two visits to a clinic or hospital.

• Two synthetic hormones are administered:  the French-developed "abortion pill" called mifepristone and a labor-inducing drug, or prostaglandin, usually the generically named misoprostol.
• First visit  - women receive a physical exam to rule out contraindications - smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, allergies, epilepsy, asthma or age restrictions (under 18 or over 35) - which could make the drugs deadly.
• The RU 486 drug (mifepristone) is taken to inhibit production of progesterone, the hormone that prepares the nutrient-rich lining of the uterus.
• As a result the developing baby literally starves to death as the womb's lining sloughs off.
• Second visit - women are given misoprostol to induce contractions and cause the dead baby to be expelled.
• Most women abort at the clinic, but many abort up to five days later - at home, work, etc.
• Third visit - includes an exam to determine whether the abortion is complete or a surgical abortion will be necessary to complete the procedure.

Methotrexate and misoprostol

• Uses the prescription drug methotrexate (prescribed to combat cancer) and misoprostol.

• Methotrexate kills the rapidly growing cells of the trophoblast, the tissue which develops into the placenta.
• Misoprostol causes uterine contractions to expel the baby.
• After an injection of methotrexate the woman returns 3 to 7 days later to receive misoprostol vaginally.
• She then returns home, where cramping and bleeding begin.
• The baby is usually aborted within 24 hours.

• Similar to a D & C abortion, it also necessitates the forced dilation of the cervix.

• Metal forceps with a sharp cutting edge are used to grasp and pull the baby from the womb.
• The entire body is removed piece by piece.
• Because the baby's skull has typically hardened to bone by this time it must sometimes be compressed or crushed in order to be removed from the uterus.
• Ironically, even some abortionists find this procedure distasteful, as the process of using forceps to twist and tear the baby's body from the womb is undeniably traumatic.

  Complications may include:

  • Higher risk of cervical laceration and infection

Saline Injection

• A saline - or salt poisoning - abortion procedure may be used after 16 weeks when enough fluid has accumulated in the amniotic sac surrounding the baby.

• A long needle is inserted through the mother's abdomen to remove and then replace some of the amniotic fluid with a solution of concentrated salt.
• The baby breathes in and swallows the solution and usually dies in one to two hours - though sometimes death takes many hours - from salt poisoning, dehydration, convulsions, hemorrhages of the brain and failure of other organs.
• The baby is literally burned inside and out by the strong salt solution.

• This drug causes a woman to go into labor at any stage of pregnancy.

• It is generally used in middle to late pregnancy to induce abortion.
• The potent, hormone-like drug is injected into the amniotic sac to produce labor and premature birth.
• In some cases the unborn baby is born alive and placed aside to die.
• In order to avoid what some abortionists call "the dreaded complication" of a live birth, it is now customary to kill the child first before "evacuating" him or her from the womb.
• Using ultrasound, the abortionist directs a needle containing an injection of lethal potassium chloride into the unborn baby's heart.
• Other abortionists use an injection of digoxin to cause fetal cardiac arrest.
• Sometimes salt is injected to kill the baby before birth and make the procedure less stressful for the mother. 

Dilation and Extraction (D & X or Partial-birth)

• Publicly unveiled in 1992, this method is used to kill babies from 20 weeks through full term.

• Because the baby is considerably larger and more well developed, the opening of the woman's cervix must be greatly enlarged.
• The entire process requires three days.
• The first and second visits the woman receives laminaria, cylindrically shaped or tapered devices which are inserted into the cervix and gradually increase in diameter as they absorb water.
• When the cervix has been sufficiently dilated the abortion is performed.
• The abortionist ruptures the amniotic sac and drains the fluid.
• Using ultrasound, the abortionist ascertains the baby's position within the uterus.
• Forceps are used to turn the baby so he or she is oriented feet first (breech) and face down.
• The abortionist then grasps one of the baby's legs and pulls the entire body, with the exception of the head, outside of the uterus.
• Because the head is usually too large to deliver, the abortionist uses a sharp pair of surgical scissors to stab the base of the living baby's skull, spreading the scissors to enlarge the hole.
• The scissors are removed and a suction tube is inserted into the opening to "evacuate" the brain.
• This kills the baby and collapses the head, allowing the abortionist to fully deliver the child. 
• It is worth noting that most babies at this stage of development weigh at least a pound, measure approximately 8" in length and are fully formed, with feet roughly 1" to 11/2" in length.
• Babies born at this point in pregnancy (19 or 20 weeks) have survived. 

  Complications may include:

  Higher risk of cervical laceration and infection