- Making a Decision
- Making an Abortion Appointment
- Coming to the Clinic
- Vacuum Aspiration (1st Trimester)
- Dilation & Evacuation (2nd Trimester)
- Non Surgical Abortion
- Risks
- Post Abortion Care
- One Woman's Story
- Personal Decision and Public Action

Vacuum Aspiration (1st Trimester)

A vacuum aspiration abortion is the term for the surgery used to perform a first trimester abortion. This procedure is done while you are situated in a
gynecological examination position-lying down with knees bent and apart. A
pelvic examination is done to determine size, position, and consistency of the
uterus.

A vacuum aspiration abortion is done while you are situated in a gynecological examination position-lying down with knees bent and apart. A pelvic examination
is done to determine size, position, and consistency of the uterus. The examiner inserts two fingers in the vagina, gently holding the cervix and pressing down on
the abdomen with the free hand so that the uterus can be felt between the two hands. A speculum will be inserted into the vagina to hold the vaginal walls apart
so that the cervix can be viewed easily. A local anesthetic will help numb the
cervix.

The physician will attach an instrument (tenaculum) to the cervix to hold it
steady before beginning the dilation. This is done by inserting successively larger dilators (long slender metal rods) through the cervix one at a time until the
opening leading into the uterus is large enough to accommodate the cannula,
the straw-sized tube that is used for the abortion. Most women feel cramping
during the dilation.

After the cannula is inserted, the vacuum aspirator is turned on, and a cramping sensation may be felt for two to three minutes until the abortion is over.