Termination of a pregnancy is a controversial topic and a very difficult decision for a woman to make. Oftentimes, abortion is a choice when a pregnancy is unwanted. However, sometimes the woman's life may be at stake carrying full term, the unborn baby may have serious medical problems and sometimes the pregnancy result from incest or a rape.
Abortion pills
The abortion pill is considered the safest and cheapest method to terminate a pregnancy. Generally, the abortion pill runs anywhere from 300 to 800 US dollars, states Planned Parenthood. The form of getting an abortion is only effective until nine weeks of gestation.
There is actually a series of pills given to the women to take home with her. This includes an antibiotic, mifepristone which blocks progesterone and breaks down the uterus and misoprostol, which is an ulcer medication used to empty the uterus during this method of abortion.
Aspiration, D&E and D&C
A vacuum aspiration, dilation and evacuation (D&E) and rarely a dilation and curettage are abortion options. These options are usually only available up until 16 weeks of pregnancy. Each one of these options are only preformed in abortion clinics or in some instances hospitals. Typically, the cost of abortion performed this way ranges from 300 to 950 US dollars when the surgery is performed in the first trimester (13 weeks or less).
Vacuum aspiration
This procedure begins with the dilation of the cervix via a dilator. After the cervix is dilated, a tube is inserted into the vagina and through the cervix, then it will finally reach the uterus. A manual or electric suction is used to suction out the unborn baby.
Dilation and evacuation
A D&E begins with dilation of the cervix. The next step depends on how far long the pregnancy is. A D&E in the second trimester requires an injection through the abdomen to ensure the unborn baby is deceased. A combination of a suction machine and other medical equipment is used to remove the contents.
Dilation and curettage
This is a very rare procedure due to the risks. Typically, it is only done if a means to suction is unavailable. A D&C involves dilation of the cervix. After dilation, a curette - which is basically a medical scraper which scrapes the content from the uterus.
Other Procedures
A dilation and extraction or D&X is only performed after 21 weeks. The procedure involves removing the unborn baby through the birth canal with forceps. An incision is made and the brain is suctioned prior to removing the body. Sometimes a surgical abortion in the second trimester occurs similar to a c-section and sometimes induction abortion is used.
