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Table 6 Early Abortion methods

From: Unintended pregnancy: a framework for prevention and options for midlife women in the US

 

Medication abortion

Aspiration abortion

Efficacy

95–98%

99%

Gestational age eligibility

Can use up to 10 weeks’ gestation

Up to 14–15 weeks’ gestation

Typical number of visits to abortion provider

2 (one to initiate process; one to confirm completion of abortion)

Typically 1–2; one for procedure; follow up can be with abortion provider or primary care provider

Advantages

• Does not require invasive procedure

• Some women feel it is more “natural”

• Offers more privacy as abortion occurs at home (or other chosen place)

• May be accessible in remote/less-densely populated areas

• Complete within a short, defined period of time (several minutes)

• Trained health personnel are present throughout procedure

• Bleeding is typically light after the procedure

Disadvantages

• Process can take hours to complete

• Failure of method requires aspiration of uterus

• Cramping can be strong, and last longer than with aspiration abortion

• Heavy bleeding is common

• Requires instrumentation of uterus

• Providers generally located in areas with higher density populations

• Pain medication and anesthesia can cause side effects

  1. Adapted from the Reproductive Health Access Project. (2016). Early Abortion Options, Retrieved from http://www.reproductiveaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/early_abortion_options.pdf ;
  2. University of California at San Francisco Medical Center. (2016). Medical versus Surgical Abortion, Retrieved from https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/medical_versus_surgical_abortion/
  3. And the Center for Reproductive Health in Family Medicine. (n.d.) Comparison of early abortion options. Retrieved from http://www.earlypregnancylossresources.org/resources/clinical-resources/