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Two
techniques, are possible, Depending on your age, the term of your
pregnancy and your state of health, there are essentially two techniques
possible:
1. the surgical technique
2. the medical method
Attention,
not all abortion centers propose both possibilities.
If you have specifically chosen one or the other method, find out before.
If you have chosen the medical method, this can be practiced by approved
gynecologists and generalists since July 2004.
[ a special case: therapeutic abortion
]
1. The surgical technique
This is the method referred to as vacuum curettage (suction termination),
which can be followed by a D&C (dilation and curettage).
It can be done with either local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia
is completely safe and comfortable and has fewer complications than
general anesthesia.
Today, thanks to the improvement of techniques and the experience of
doctors, major complications from abortions have become the exception.
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2.
The medical method
It concerns
a technique using RU 486 (or mifepristone), a progesterone antagonist,
taken orally (by swallowing). This product blocks progesterone action,
a hormone necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy. The prostaglandins
increase the contractions of the uterus.
This method requires no anesthesia or surgical intervention.
It can be practiced until the end of the 5th
week of pregnancy, being 7 weeks after the start of the last
period.
It is strongly advised against if:
 you are older
than 35
you are younger
than 35 but are a regular smoker
you quit smoking
within the last 2 years.
It is not
recommended if:
you are a smoker
over 35
you have affections
and cardiovascular antecedents.
It can
be used if:
you stopped smoking
more than 2 years ago
you smoke occasionally.
In this case, you should absolutely not smoke in the days preceding
and the day of the administration of the prostaglandins.
This
method takes place in 3 steps in the abortion center or your generalist's
or gynecologist's office:
1st consultation: 3 tablets of RU 486 (mifepristone) are taken
in the presence of the doctor in the abortion center. You can then go
home. There may be heavy bleeding: this is not proof that the pregnancy
is terminated; it is therefore necessary to have a 2nd consultation.
2nd consultation:
48 hours later, administration of prostaglandins by swallowing or vaginal
suppository. This causes bleeding, uterine contractions and the expulsion
of the egg in the following hours. You will stay in the hospital under
medical observation for a few hours.
3rd consultation:
a week after taking the pills, it is imperative to return to the same
center for a medical check-up. Be advised that the bleeding usually
lasts about a week, sometimes longer.
If this method fails (< 5 % of
cases), meaning that the pregnancy is not terminated, it is imperative
to have a suction termination and a D&C.
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A
special case: therapeutic abortion
Sometimes
an abortion is necessary due to serious health concerns of the
mother or of the unborn child. This is a therapeutic abortion.
It can take place at any time during the pregnancy on the advice
of a private or public hospital staff doctor, and a medical expert.
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