Medical Abortion vs Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion
Surgical abortion is one among the foremost commonly performed and safest surgical procedures in Australia, with up to 80,000 women undergoing the procedure per annum .1 most ordinarily performed within the trimester , up to 14 weeks’ gestation, surgical abortion features a low complication rate when administered during this point . While surgical abortion are often performed within the trimester (up to twenty weeks in most states, and up to 24 weeks in Victoria); this does involve a more complex surgery .medical v/s surgical is not compared its all about women’s choice

A surgical abortion within the trimester is most frequently administered under ‘twilight sedation’, although the choice of an area anaesthetic is out there . Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, the doctor inserts alittle tube into the uterus and, applying gentle suction, removes the contents and lining of the uterus. is usually |this can be”> this is often why a surgical abortion is often called a ‘suction curette’.

The procedure itself takes around 10 minutes; however, from the purpose of arrival at the clinic, to preparation for the surgery and recovery from the anaesthetic, having a surgical abortion can take 4 – 5 hours. After the anaesthetic has worn off and you’ve got received your aftercare advice, you’ll got to be driven home.

The risks of surgical abortion
Surgical abortion is one among the safest operations administered in Australia; however, all surgery carries some risks. Although complications can occur in an estimated 3% of cases, major complications are rare. Below may be a list of the risks related to surgical abortion:

• Incomplete abortion is that the commonest complication (up to 2%)2, and occurs when alittle piece of the pregnancy or lining remains within the uterus. this might end in problematic bleeding or cramping and a repeat procedure could also be required.
• Ongoing pregnancy is rare (1 in 500)2 but is more likely in procedures performed under 6 weeks.
• Infection is rare (less than 1%)2. you’ll usually tend or prescribed antibiotics together with your procedure to scale back the danger .
• Damage to the cervix is rare and infrequently has longstanding effects.
• Perforation of the uterus, where the surgical instruments make a hole within the wall, is potentially the foremost serious complication but fortunately is rare with an experienced surgeon.
• Haemorrhage following a surgical abortion within the trimester is rare.

Women who experience heavy bleeding, fever or severe pain or discomfort following a surgical abortion must consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Why choose surgical abortion?
Overall, surgical abortion may be a very safe and highly successful option for termination of pregnancy within the trimester . the benefits of selecting a surgical abortion are:

• It are often performed later within the pregnancy than a medical abortion;
• The procedure itself takes only a matter of minutes;
• It usually involves just one visit to the clinic;
• There’s usually less bleeding and cramping than with a medical abortion;
• Medical staff are present throughout the procedure;
• It are often performed under twilight sedation, which reduces awareness and pain;
• It has a really low complication rate and a high success rate;
• You can still breastfeed, whereas you’ll got to cease breastfeeding during a medical abortion.

Medical abortion
Medical abortion has been more widely available in Australia since 2012, and may be a non-surgical abortion option, available to most girls up to 63 days gestation. Choosing between a medical or surgical abortion is extremely much hooked in to your circumstances and private preference.

For many women, the supply of medical abortion in USA has meant greater privacy and fewer invasiveness in accessing a termination. The newer introduction of medical abortion via teleconsultation has also made early termination more readily available to women living in rural and regional areas or without access to an abortion clinic.

Medical abortion is out there once a pregnancy is detected via ultrasound (usually around 5 weeks) up to 9 weeks (63 days) gestation. The abortion is achieved employing a combination of two medications which work together to terminate a pregnancy.

• The first medication is run by your doctor, or taken by you reception . This medication is an anti-hormone, which acts by blocking the consequences of progesterone – the hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue.
• 24 to 48 hours after taking the primary medication, you’re taking the second medication buccally (which means you place the tablets between the cheek and gum for half-hour before swallowing any remaining fragments with water).

The second medication opens the cervix and assists the uterus to expel the pregnancy. this could occur between half-hour to 24 hours after taking the second medication, but most girls can expect to experience some vaginal bleeding, cramps and to pass some pregnancy tissue within 4 hours.

Before being prescribed the medication for medical abortion you want to have an ultrasound to work out that you simply are not any quite 9 weeks (63 days) pregnant and to exclude extrauterine pregnancy (a pregnancy within the tubes).

Almost all women are suitable for a medical abortion, although there are a couple of medical conditions which will mean you’re not suitable. If you’ve got a bleeding disorder or are on blood thinning medications, if you’ve got adrenal problems or are taking corticosteroid medications, like prednisone, a medical abortion is unsuitable for you. Your doctor will take a medical record to form sure that you simply are eligible for a medical abortion. you’ll also got to able access emergency medical aid during the time you’re having the medical abortion.

The risks of medical abortion
Medical abortion may be a safe and effective method of terminating a pregnancy up to 9 weeks’ gestation; however, like surgical abortion, medical abortion carries some risks:

• Incomplete abortion is that the commonest complication (1-4%)2 and occurs when the pregnancy isn’t completely expelled from the uterus, causing cramping or heavy bleeding. A surgery could also be required if the bleeding or cramping isn’t settling.
• Ongoing pregnancy occurs in but 1% of cases 2. A surgical abortion will usually be recommended.
• Infection is rare (less than 1%).2
• Excessive bleeding severe enough to need a transfusion occurs in around 1 in 1,000 cases.2

What to expect after taking the second medication
Vaginal bleeding and cramping is normal and typically starts within a couple of hours of taking the second medication (misoprostol). the quantity of bleeding and cramping varies from patient to patient.

Bleeding lasts on the average 10 to 16 days3 and it’s usual for bleeding to be heavier than a traditional period for two to three days.
Side effects of the medication also can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and chills or fever but these are usually mild and short lived.
Contact the Stopes Australia aftercare service if:

You are soaking quite 2 maxi pads per hour for quite 2 hours;
You have severe cramps or pain uncontrolled by pain medication;
You have fever, chills, severe pain or other side effects which continue quite 24 hours after taking misoprostol;
You have any concerns after taking the medication.
If bleeding doesn’t occur, some patients may require a repeat dose of misoprostol, or another method of termination could also be suggested. you ought to contact your doctor as soon as possible if this happens .

Why choose a medical abortion?
If your pregnancy is under 9 weeks’ gestation and you favor to not undergo surgery, then a medical abortion may be a good option. Other reasons women choose medical abortion over surgical abortion include:

It requires no anaesthetic;
The procedure is non-invasive;
There is greater privacy than with a surgical abortion;
As a non-surgical procedure, there are not any surgical risks related to medical abortion;
You are reception and may have the support of friends and/or family if you choose;
It can feel ‘more natural’, because it is analogous to having an important period or miscarriage.