What are the Different Types of Abortion?

Mar 1, 2025 | Abortion

If you’ve just found out that you’re pregnant when you don’t want to be, you’ve probably already begun researching your abortion options.

Before you call the abortion clinic, it’s important to understand the different types of procedures, when you can have them, and their risks and side effects. This will help you make a fully informed decision. Keep reading to learn more!

 

First-trimester Abortion Procedures

The first trimester lasts until the end of the 13th week of pregnancy. During the first trimester, abortion providers typically perform medical abortions and dilation and curettages.

 

What is a Medical Abortion?

A medical abortion (also known as the abortion pill) involves two medications—mifepristone and misoprostol. Medical abortion is only approved by the FDA through 10 weeks of pregnancy.[1] 

The first medication, mifepristone, interferes with progesterone receptors and prevents the pregnancy from developing. The second medication, misoprostol, causes the uterus to cramp and expel the pregnancy.[2]

Mifepristone is usually taken in an abortion clinic, while misoprostol is taken 24 to 48 hours later at home.[3] The bleeding and cramping will begin between 2 to 24 hours after taking misoprostol.[4] Most women expel the pregnancy within that same timeframe.[5]

 

What is Dilation and Curettage (D&C)?

A dilation and curettage (also called D&C or vacuum aspiration abortion) is a surgical abortion procedure. This procedure can be performed up to the 13th week of pregnancy.[6]

Hours before or the day before the procedure, small instruments or a medication is used to open (dilate) the cervix. Misoprostol may be given to soften the cervix.[7]

During the procedure, the abortion provider will use a spoon-shaped device called a curette to scrape out the tissue from the uterus. They may also use a suction device at the end to remove any remaining tissue that was missed by the curette.[8]

 

Second-trimester Abortion Procedures

The second trimester lasts from the 13th to the 27th week of pregnancy. During the second trimester, abortion providers typically perform dilation and evacuations.

 

What is Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)?

Dilation and evacuation is another surgical abortion that providers commonly perform during the second trimester.[9]

Before the procedure, the doctor will dilate the cervix. This can be done in the following ways[10]:

  • The day before the procedure, the doctor inserts sponge-like sticks into the cervix. Over time, they will absorb moisture, expand, and open the cervix.
  • The night before the procedure, the doctor may give you medication to soften the cervix, making it easier to expand.

Once the cervix is dilated enough, the abortion provider will insert a cannula (tube) into the uterus. The cannula is attached to a bottle and pump, which suctions out the tissue in the uterus. The abortion provider will then use forceps (large, rounded tweezers) to remove any remaining tissue.[11]

 

Risks and Side Effects

All forms of abortion come with risks and side effects that you need to be aware of.

 

Medical Abortion Side Effects

After medical abortion, vaginal bleeding or spotting usually lasts for 9 to 16 days. However, it can last for 30 days or longer.[12] Other common side effects include[13]:

  • Abdominal cramping (caused by the misoprostol)
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea and digestive pain
  • Chills
  • Fever

Severe medical abortion side effects include:

  • Hemorrhaging. It’s normal to bleed for a while after taking the abortion pill. However, if you soak through two full-size sanitary pads per hour, for two or more hours, you could be hemorrhaging.[14]
  • Incomplete abortion. Incomplete abortions occur when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after misoprostol has been taken. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove the remaining tissue and prevent infection.[15] 
  • Infection. If you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever for more than 24 hours after taking the second medication, an infection may have developed. You may need antibiotics or even surgery to treat your condition.[16]

Surgical Abortion Risks

Surgical abortions (dilation & curettage and dilation & evacuation) have serious risks, such as:

  • Uterine Perforation. Uterine perforation occurs when one of the instruments used in surgical abortion accidentally pokes a hole in the uterus.[17]
  • Asherman Syndrome. Asherman Syndrome is a condition in which ​​scar tissue forms inside the uterus. This can occur as a result of multiple surgical abortions, making it difficult to become pregnant in the future.[18]
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Bacteria can enter the reproductive tract during a surgical abortion, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).[19]
  • Intense Pain. Studies have found that women who received abortions in the second trimester onward experienced more pain than they expected during their procedures.[20]

 

Abortion Information in Tehachapi, CA

If you’re considering abortion, you’re not alone. The compassionate staff at Family Life Pregnancy Center will provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your health and future!

Give us a call at (661) 766-5742 or schedule your appointment online today. All services are confidential and free of charge! 

FREE & CONFIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT

Please be aware that Family Life Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.

Sources

  1. FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation?sm_guid=NTU1NzgyfDYzMDE1OTM2fC0xfGppbUBha2ZhbWlseS5vcmd8NTY4OTI4MXx8MHwwfDE5OTYwMDk4OHwxMDg2fDB8MHx8NTQ3NzI2fDA1
  2. See source #1.
  3. See source #1.
  4. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html 
  5. Mifepristone (oral route). Mayo Clinic. (2025, February 1). https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mifepristone-oral-route/description/drg-20067123 
  6. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, February 9). Dilation and Curettage (D & C). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/dilation-and-curettage 
  7. Mayo Clinic. (2023, November 7). Dilation and curettage (D&C). https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910
  8. See source #7.
  9. Understanding Dilation and Evacuation (D&E). Saint Luke’s Health System. (n.d.). https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-library/understanding-dilation-and-evacuation-de
  10. See source #9.
  11. See source #9.
  12. See source #4.
  13. See source #4.
  14. Danco Laboratories, LLC & FDA. (2016, March). Mifeprex Label. FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/020687s020lbl.pdf
  15. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
  16. See source #4.
  17. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, April 5). Abortion – Surgical. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002912.htm
  18. 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
  19. Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
  20. 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/

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