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Early Surgical Vs. Pill Abortion

An early abortion is one that takes places typically by the 10th week of pregnancy. The methods available for an early abortion include aspiration abortion (early surgical abortion), or medica (pill) abortion. There are different advantages and disadvantages to each method and a woman should discuss all her options thoroughly with her medical provider before making her choice.

  1. Medical Pill Abortion

    • A medical abortion involves administering an abortion medication and is done by the eighth week of pregnancy. The choices include Mifepristone or Mifeprex. Typically, both pills are used to terminate a pregnancy and it involves two doctor's visits. Mifepristone is taken on day one. Mifeprex is taken on day two, three or four by allowing the pill to dissolve in the mouth between the cheek and gum or under the tongue. Typically the abortion will occur within several hours. A follow-up appointment with the doctor is set up for two weeks after the initial visit. The success rate is 97 percent, and a surgical abortion is done in the cases of failure. The cost is around $400 to $600.

    Aspiration Abortion

    • The aspiration abortion technique, or surgical vacuum abortion, is done through the first trimester, or 12 weeks, although in the case of a pregnancy under six weeks, failed abortion rates are higher. It involves one doctor's visit lasting a few hours, although the procedure itself takes about three to five minutes. A follow-up visit occurs three to four weeks later. Cramping during and following the procedure can be strong, and pain medication can be given. Light to moderate bleeding may continue for up to two months following the abortion. The success rate is over 99 percent. The cost ranges from several hundred to over $1,000.

    Considerations of Medical Abortion

    • Disadvantages of a medical abortion include that it takes several days to complete and is not completely predictable, cramping can be severe and it can last longer than the aspiration technique. It also has a higher failure rate than the surgical method and it takes two or more visits to the physician.

    Considerations of Surgical Abortion

    • Disadvantages of the surgical abortion include the use of instruments inside the uterus, anesthetics and pain medications, which may have side effects. A woman may not have a companion with her and has less control over the process than with the medical pill technique. Some women are also unsettled by the noise of the vacuum aspirator, and it cannot be done as early as the medical abortion.

    Effects

    • A study by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that abortion pills are safe and pose no threat to future pregnancies or a woman's health and do not increase the risk of tubal pregnancy, miscarriage, preterm birth or low birth weight babies in the future.

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