Surgical Abortion
Surgical Abortion:
Surgical abortion is a surgery performed to remove the fetus from the uterus. The abortion method used depends on the stage of pregnancy and your medical history.
Vacuum aspiration: the most common type of surgical abortion when a suction machine is used to remove the fetus from the uterus (up to 14 weeks after your most recent period).
D&E (dilation and evacuation): after opening the cervix, instruments along with suction are used to remove the fetus and uterine lining (14-26 weeks).
Mosaic Virginia offers free ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy and gestational age. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Medical reasons for not having a surgical abortion include having an IUD, ectopic pregnancy, and/or bleeding disorders. (We do not perform or refer for abortions.)
Risks of Surgical Abortion:
A surgical abortion has the following risks, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
Injury to the uterus or other organs: the uterus, bowel, or bladder can be injured. If this happens, additional surgery at a hospital may be needed to repair the injuries..
Infection: although rare, an infection must be addressed immediately. If you have a fever or abdominal pain, please seek medical care quickly.
Excessive bleeding: while some bleeding after an abortion is normal, very heavy bleeding (or hemorrhage) requires immediate medical care.
Incomplete abortion: if fetal tissue remains in your uterus, you may need another abortion procedure to make sure its completely removed.
Emotional struggles: are often reported from women after an abortion. For some these emotions may not last long. For others, they may stay over longer periods of time.
Abortion in Virginia
In the state of Virginia:
Abortion procedures are currently legal during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.
Abortions in the third trimester are only permitted in rare situations when the pregnancy poses a serious risk to the mother’s life.
If you are under the age of 18, Virginia law requires permission from a parent or legal guardian before you can obtain an abortion.
Approximately 15-20% of known pregnancies will end in a miscarriage, according to NIH. Having an ultrasound before an abortion is important for your health and safety. An ultrasound can reveal how far along you are and make you aware of a potential miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Mosaic Virginia provides ultrasounds free of charge. Schedule an appointment today at one of our four locations in Northern Virginia.
Your privacy is important to us. All information you share is kept strictly confidential.