The Aspiration Procedure (Manual Vacuum Aspiration, Menstrual Extraction)
The Aspiration Procedure is a non-surgical gentle method that is the safest and most convenient way to end early pregnancy. Women who choose the Aspiration Procedure appreciate how quick and simple it is. The entire procedure takes less than five minutes. The cramping during the procedure is tolerable and only lasts for a few minutes. Recovery time is immediate. Women leave the office feeling normal and resume their normal activities. Bleeding is usually lighter than a period. A follow up visit generally isn’t necessary.
The Aspiration Procedure Simpler than RU486
- One visit to the doctor’s office (no routine follow up).
- Completed in less than 5 minutes.
- A few minutes of tolerable cramping.
- Bleeding is lighter than a period.
- You know it’s successful before leaving the office.
The Aspiration Procedure Safer than Surgical Abortion
- No scraping.
- No electric suction.
- No metal instruments.
- No need to be put to sleep.
- No major complications.
- Immediate Recovery.
What to Expect
You are in a regular doctor’s examination room (not an operating room). You can have a friend, family member or partner with you the entire time. Our staff members are also there to support you. We do everything to make you as comfortable and relaxed as possible. One clinical assistant will be by your side the entire time talking with you, and helping you to relax during the procedure. Medications are available to help relieve anxiety, if you so choose.
- You lie down on a comfortable examination table in a private, colorful, clean room.
- The doctor performs an ultrasound examination.
- The doctor inserts a speculum (like a Pap smear).
- The doctor numbs the cervix with a local anesthetic. You typically do not feel this.
- The doctor stretches the natural opening of your cervix with small plastic dilators and inserts a thin tube, called a cannula. The doctor attaches a handheld device to the cannula and applies gentle pressure for one or two minutes. You may feel some mild to moderate period-like cramping at this time.
- The doctor removes the instruments. A second ultrasound is performed to insure successful completion.
- You lie on the table for another 5-10 minutes. The cramps ease quickly. You are served beverages and snacks of your choice. In a few more minutes you feel completely normal.
- You get dressed and resume your normal daily activities.
Advantages of the Aspiration Procedure
NON-INVASIVE. The Aspiration Procedure is NOT Surgery because there is no cutting and no scraping. A thin sterile tube about the size of a pencil is inserted into the cervix (the natural opening to the uterus) and gentle pressure is applied. The menstrual lining is naturally removed into a handheld device.
NO SURGERY. The Aspiration Procedure is completed in a private examination room, not an operating room. You recover immediately, so you do not need to go to a recovery room. It is not surgery, so you can eat and drink normally before and after your visit.
QUICK. Typically, the entire procedure is less than 5 minutes. Most women experience the procedure like a long Pap Smear or gynecologic exam with about two minutes of cramping at the end. Within minutes, women feel normal and are able to resume their activities.
IMMEDIATE RECOVERY. After the Aspiration Procedure there is no recovery time. The uterus does not need to “heal” since there has been no invasive scraping of the uterine wall. A woman can resume her normal activities and use tampons, bathe, and have sexual intercourse after 24 hours.
NATURAL. The Aspiration Procedure uses a gentle pressure that causes the natural release of the pregnancy tissue from the uterus. There is no scarring, so no risk for future pregnancies.
COMFORTABLE. Most women don’t describe the Aspiration Procedure as painful. Instead, it is similar to having a few minutes of period-like cramps. We do everything to make you as comfortable as possible.
MINIMAL BLEEDING. When the woman leaves the office, she will most likely bleed like a light period and usually lasts for a few days.
ONE VISIT. The doctor is able to confirm that the pregnancy is ended a few minutes after the procedure. She confirms the completion of the procedure by exam, by ultrasound, and by tissue evaluation.
QUIET. The doctor uses a quiet handheld instrument. There is no electric suction machine so there is no noise.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aspiration Abortion
Does it Hurt?
Most women do not describe the Aspiration Procedure as painful. Most women describe a “pulling feeling” or some discomfort. Many women describe mild or moderate cramps, like when you have your period. Occasionally a woman will have more intense cramping, but this only lasts for a minute or two. A few minutes of cramping is better than being put to sleep! After the Aspiration Procedure you recover immediately and you do not have any of the major complications of anesthesia.
Sometimes it is helpful to understand that cramping of the uterus is normal and healthy, and an important part of recovery. The cramps should not be frightening. The uterus is a muscle and it contracts in response to the procedure. This is normal and good, since the contracting helps stop the bleeding.
How far into the pregnancy can I get the aspiration procedure?
The Aspiration Procedure is best completed between 5-10 weeks of pregnancy. It can be utilized up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
How does the aspiration procedure compare to the abortion pill?
he Aspiration Procedure has significant advantages over the Abortion Pill. It can be completed in one visit (instead of two visits), there is minimal bleeding (compared to weeks or months of bleeding), there is minimal cramping (compared to hours of cramping) and the patient knows that the termination of pregnancy is completed before she leaves the medical office.
How does the aspiration procedure compare to surgical abortion?
The Aspiration Procedure has significant advantages over surgical abortion. It is performed in a regular examination room and because discomfort is minimal, you are awake (instead of an operating room and under general anesthesia), plastic instruments are used (instead of metal instruments), pressure from a silent, handheld aspirator gently removes the pregnancy lining from the uterus (no loud electric suction machine or uterine scraping is required), recovery takes only a few minutes (as opposed to hours after general sedation).
Do they offer the aspiration procedure at abortion clinics?
Unfortunately, it is rare for an abortion clinic to offer the Aspiration Procedure. If they do, they may not provide the Aspiration Procedure in the best possible way. It is important that women become more informed of their choices. Some abortion clinics report that they provide the Aspiration Procedure, but complete the procedure like a surgical abortion with scraping and under sedation.
Ask these questions when making your appointment for the Aspiration Procedure:
- Does the doctor scrape the uterus?
- Is the Aspiration Procedure completed in a regular examination room or an operating room?
- After the procedure will I be put in a recovery room, or allowed to rest in the same room?
- Is my companion able to be with me for the entire visit?
- Is the Aspiration Procedure routinely completed with a local anesthetic?
- Do you schedule individual appointments or many women at the same time?
What are the complications of the aspiration procedure?
Abortion of all types is very safe if completed in reputable settings. The Aspiration Procedure is the safest way to end early pregnancy. Routine abortions of any kind do not cause problems with future pregnancies. The rare complications of an Aspiration Procedure are minor and easily treated with antibiotics or a repeat procedure. Serious health risks are extremely rare and are usually related to the pregnancy,not the procedure.
