How long does dilation and evacuation take

Because the pregnancy is further along, however, the cervix needs to be opened wider to allow the larger pregnancy tissue to pass, which requires the clinician to soften and dilate the cervix ahead of time.

This process of cervical preparation can take anywhere from a few hours in the early second trimester to a day or two for later procedures. There are two main methods of cervical preparation: osmotic dilators and misoprostol, one of the drugs used in medication abortion.

Osmotic dilators are short, thin rods made of seaweed laminaria or synthetic material Dilapan. After inserting a speculum, the clinician places one or more osmotic dilators in the cervical opening. The placement only takes a few minutes. The dilators absorb moisture and expand over the next several hours, gradually stretching the cervix open. You will likely feel pressure or intermittent cramping as your cervix dilates.

However, death related to abortion occurs in less than one of every , abortions. Most pregnancies are normal. Most women who have good care during pregnancy and delivery will give birth to a baby without problems. However, some women may have health conditions or pregnancy problems that may require special care or hospitalization during pregnancy.

Just as there are risks with abortion, there are risks with continuing a pregnancy to full term. Some of the pregnancy problems that may lead to hospitalization include a pregnancy growing outside the uterus tubal pregnancy , miscarriage, excessive vomiting during pregnancy, urinary tract infection, heavy bleeding or infection, diabetes, blood clots, preeclampsia and eclampsia causing swelling, high blood pressure and possible seizures , premature labor, death of the fetus, newborn or maternal death.

Maternal death occurs approximately 17 times out of every , live births in the U. Many services may be available if you choose to continue your pregnancy. Contact your local health department, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or your local county Department of Human Services to learn about help in your community. If you would like information about adoption, contact your county Department of Human Services or a private adoption agency.

Paul, E. Lichtenberg, L. Borgatta, D. Grimes, P. Stubblefield, M. Creinin; Management of Unintended and abnormal pregnancy: comprehensive Abortion Care. Tweets by MichiganHHS. Vacuum aspiration can be used to empty the uterus after a miscarriage or other fetal loss. Many miscarriages pass on their own, but some do not. These are called incomplete miscarriages and missed miscarriages.

With an incomplete miscarriage, some of the pregnancy tissue stays in the uterus after a miscarriage. With a missed miscarriage, all of the tissue stays in the uterus after a miscarriage.

You may have manual or machine vacuum aspiration. With manual vacuum, the doctor uses a specially designed syringe to apply suction. With machine vacuum, a thin tube is attached to a bottle and a pump. The tube is inserted into the uterus. The pump provides gentle suction to remove the tissue. After the procedure, you may have bleeding and spotting. You also may have cramps that feel like menstrual cramps. Guilt, anxiety, and sadness are common reactions after a miscarriage.

It is also common to want to know why a miscarriage has happened. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make emotions stronger than usual. These feelings can last a while. Vacuum aspiration is a minor surgical procedure. A normal recovery includes:. Vacuum aspiration is done in the first trimester of pregnancy. First-trimester surgical abortions are safe and effective and have few complications.

In rare cases, an aspiration procedure doesn't successfully end a pregnancy.