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August 23, 2024 
Tom - Surgical vs Medical Pregnancy Termination
- What is Surgical Pregnancy Termination?
- Surgical Termination Risks
- After Your Surgical Abortion
- Post-surgery Symptoms
- Post-surgery Care
- The Benefits of a Surgical Abortion
- What is a Medical Abortion?
- Is a Medical Abortion Suitable for Me?
- What to Expect Post Medical Abortion
- What if I am Still Pregnant?
- Medical Abortion Symptoms
- Know When to Seek Medical Advice
- The Benefits of a Medical Abortion
- Medical vs Surgical Abortion: How Do I Choose?
- Find More Information
As a pregnant woman, it might be the happiest time of your life – or it might be a difficult time fraught with emotion and doubts about your future, and desire to have a child. If it is the latter, you are not alone, and abortion is an option. In fact, in the UK, 1 in 3 women have terminated a pregnancy by the time they reach 45 years of age. So, it’s more common than you might think.
Despite this, navigating abortion, whether on your own or with support, can be a difficult thing. The surplus of information available online coupled with the various emotions a woman can experience can cause it to feel like an overwhelming time.
We’re here to help. We know that abortion isn’t easy. You can feel scared, alone, and uncertain about your next steps and what’s best for you. In this article, we will empower you by outlining the difference between medical and surgical pregnancy termination so that you can make an informed decision.
Surgical vs Medical Pregnancy Termination
There are two main ways to terminate a pregnancy; surgically and medically. The route you take will depend on your personal preference or will be recommended by your healthcare provider based on your gestation and any medical requirements you may have.
Let’s take a closer look at the differences between surgical and medical pregnancy termination.
What is Surgical Pregnancy Termination?
Surgical pregnancy termination is what it sounds like; a minor surgery to remove the pregnancy from your womb. This is done in two ways:
Suction Aspiration: this can be carried out up to 12 weeks gestation. It involves removing the pregnancy from the womb via gentle suction. Most women are awake for this procedure but under local anaesthesia so they cannot feel anything. Some women find being awake during the procedure comforting, whereas others choose not to.
Dilation and Evacuation: for women 13 to 24 weeks pregnant, the surgical termination procedure available is dilation and evacuation. This involves dilating the cervix and using forceps to remove the pregnancy. The procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia and normally takes 10-20 minutes.
Surgical pregnancy termination is available to most women and can be carried out under local anaesthesia (while you are awake) or general anaesthesia (while you are asleep). Typically, as seen above, the type of anaesthesia used will depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Surgical Termination Risks
Of course, as with any surgery procedure, there are risks associated with surgical pregnancy termination. While the procedure itself is very safe and generally successful, the possible risks include:
- Excessive bleeding from the vagina following the operation
- Post-surgery infection
- Additional procedure to remove remaining pregnancy
- Injury to the cervix or womb
- A failed abortion.
While the above are unusual, it is important to be aware of the risks so that you can make an informed decision.
After Your Surgical Abortion
You might be wondering what happens after your surgical abortion. Well, the good news is that you shouldn’t require anymore tests or appointments and you can usually return home the same day to recover in peace.
Post-surgery Symptoms
During your post-surgery recovery, it is common to experience symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea. These symptoms are especially common as the medication wears off.
You may also experience stomach cramping and vaginal bleeding for a few days. The cramps should be easily managed with medication such as ibuprofen or paracetamol and the bleeding should be normal for you (by that we mean it should look like your normal period).
Post-surgery Care
After a surgical abortion, it’s important to take care of yourself. Not only will you be feeling a little bit tender for a couple of days, but your body needs time to heal. That’s why it is important to do the following for up to 2 weeks following your surgery:
- Rest as much as possible
- Use sanitary towels instead of tampons to avoid infection
- Avoid vaginal intercourse
- Avoid swimming and sitting in hot tubs
- Have showers instead of baths
- Go easy on yourself
While it can be tempting to just ‘get on with your life’ after a pregnancy termination, it’s important that you give yourself time to rest. All surgeries take their toll on the body and a surgical pregnancy termination is no exception. So, take some time off work and simply rest. The less you rush your recovery, the faster your body will heal.
The Benefits of a Surgical Abortion
- Fewer appointments required
- 10-20 minute procedure
- Patients can usually recover at home
- Lower risk of a failed abortion
What is a Medical Abortion?
Medical abortions are another type of pregnancy termination procedure. They are typically carried out in the earliest stages of pregnancy (before 12 weeks gestation) and involve taking prescription-strength pills to end a pregnancy.
Is a Medical Abortion Suitable for Me?
Most women in their first trimester will be permitted a medical abortion. In fact, you are typically eligible for a medical abortion up to 24 weeks pregnant.
However, you may be unable to have a medical abortion for the following reasons:
- You are too far along in your pregnancy
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD)
- You have a blood clotting disorder
- You have severe anaemia
- You have chronic adrenal failure
- You have an ectopic pregnancy (this is a pregnancy that is outside of your uterus)
Discerning whether a medical abortion is suitable for you can be difficult without seeking professional advice. We can help. We encourage you to speak with a member of our team who can assess whether the procedure is right for you and answer any questions you may have.
What to Expect Post Medical Abortion
After your medical abortion you will have a follow-up appointment 2-5 weeks after your procedure. It is vital that you attend this appointment as this is an opportunity for your healthcare provider to make sure your recovery is going smoothly.
During your follow-up appointment you will need to provide a urine sample. This will be used for a pregnancy test to confirm the abortion was successful. You will also need to complete blood work and have an ultrasound so that we can be completely sure you are no longer pregnant.
What if I am Still Pregnant?
In the unlikely event that you are still pregnant following a medical abortion, you may need to repeat the medical abortion process again or have your pregnancy surgically removed. Your healthcare provider can offer advice.
We know failed abortions can feel particularly scary. However, rest assured that failed medical abortions are uncommon. In fact, medical abortions are over 90% effective. In the unlikely event you have a failed abortion, our team will ensure you receive the best care possible and will support you in your next steps.
Medical Abortion Symptoms
After your medical abortion, you must take time to rest. This is because your body needs time to recover.
After the abortion is complete and you have passed the pregnancy, you may experience heavy bleeding for a couple of days. Once this settles down, you will likely have a period that lasts for up to 3 weeks. After the first week of having your period, your bleeding should become lighter.
Please note: if you experience heavy bleeding (soaking through a sanitary pad in 30 minutes or less) you should call your healthcare provider right away. If you experience heavy (but not excessive) bleeding for more than 3 weeks, it’s important to seek advice from your doctor.
If your recovery goes smoothly, you should expect to get back to yourself in 2-3 weeks. Before this time, it is important to rest as much as possible and avoid strenuous activity.
Know When to Seek Medical Advice
Whether you have a surgical or medical abortion, it’s important to know the signs that something isn’t quite right. Knowing when to seek medical advice could, quite literally, save your life.
Here are the signs you need emergency attention:
- You are passing blood clots that are larger than golf balls
- You are experiencing severe abdominal pain and/or cramping
- You have developed a fever
- You are bleeding through a sanitary towel every 30 minutes for 2 hours.
Any of the above symptoms could be a sign that something is wrong – from infection to haemorrhaging – and must be dealt with immediately by a medical professional.
The Benefits of a Medical Abortion
- Feeling in control of the abortion process
- The chance to have an abortion at home
- No need for surgery
- Have a support person (or as many support people as you like) with you
- The process can feel more natural
- Avoids the possibility of physical trauma or injury
Medical vs Surgical Abortion: How Do I Choose?
Choosing the right pregnancy termination procedure can be difficult. While some women have very strong feelings and preferences, others can struggle with the decision. If you’re finding it difficult to decide, speak to a member of our team. We’d be happy to advise you and answer any questions you may have.
Find More Information
Abortion can be a difficult topic for many people. However, we don’t think you should travel this road alone. That’s why, if you would like more information, we cover a lot about pregnancy termination and women’s health on our blog.
We encourage you to read our content and learn more about the different pregnancy termination options available to you. And if you would like any further support or information, please reach out to our team. We’re here to help you.
