Dilation and evacuation

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Dilation and evacuation is the most common form of second trimester abortion. It is commonly referred to as a D&E.

Description

Approximately 11% of abortions are performed in the second trimester. In 2002, there were an estimated 142,000 second-trimester abortions in the United States.Guttmacher Institute: ["Facts On Induced Abortion in the United States"], May 2006. Accessed May 2006.

The first step in a D&E is to dilate the cervix. This is often begun about a day before the surgical procedure. Enlarging the opening of the cervix enables surgical instruments such as a curette or forceps to be inserted into the uterus.

The second step is to remove the fetus. Either a local anesthetic or general anesthesia is given to the woman. If the pregnancy is less than 16 weeks, the fetus may be removed with a curette (a scraping instrument). Later-term pregnancies generally require that forceps be used to separate the fetus into components, which are removed one at a time. The head of the fetus might need to be crushed in order to fit through the cervix.

Lastly, vacuum aspiration is used to ensure no fetal tissue remains in the uterus (such tissue can cause serious infections in the woman). The components are also examined to check that the entire fetus was removed.

If the fetus is removed intact, the procedure is referred to as intact dilation and extraction or partial-birth abortion.

References

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