Which Method Is Safe: Medical Abortion Or Surgical Abortion?

Risk content: Abortion is a medical procedure to terminate the pregnancy by taking medications or undergoing a surgical procedure. Abortions can only be performed by the expert and best gynecologist who will be available only at a licensed clinic. Queen’s gynecology provides medical and surgical Abortion and has a team of expert abortion experts. Abortion processes are safer the earlier they’re carried out. Taking advice from an expert doctor early on will give you more time to decide and choose the best option for you if you’re unsure. Our doctors at Queen’s Gynecology are here to support women facing unplanned pregnancies. We offer abortions to women in their first trimester, or the first 12 weeks, of pregnancy, also with full OB/GYN care through delivery for women who choose to continue their pregnancies. If you are considering terminating your pregnancy, we offer two types of safe, FDA-approved abortion procedures, medical and surgical. Let us discuss both in detail, as it can help you determine what is safe and right for you.

Abortion – termination of pregnancy 

Abortion is a termination of pregnancy which is entirely a personal decision. Women may make this decision because of various reasons. The reasons for having an abortion can vary for each woman may be because:

• She did not intend to get pregnant, 
• They no longer want to get pregnant 
• Due to the severe medical conditions of the fetus or the mother
• Women require medical help to induce delivery of nonviable fetal tissue due to stillbirth and miscarriage. As per studies, a woman’s decision to have an abortion is influenced by many external factors as well. Some of them can be age, health, socioeconomic status, parity, and marital status.

Deciding to have an abortion can be challenging, and choosing which type of abortion procedure is best for your circumstances can add more to the confusion. Therefore, you should understand the two options: surgical Abortion and Medical Abortion.  

Types of abortions – Medical Abortion and Surgical Abortion – All you need to know 

There are two ways to perform an abortion. Your gynecologist might recommend either type based on your personal preferences, how far along you are in your pregnancy, which one you are more comfortable with, and many other circumstances. If you want to have an abortion, it is best to know all about abortion procedures and types to make a well-versed and right decision. The two types of Abortion are medical and surgical; both are extremely safe and effective. Let us know about medical Abortion vs. Surgical Abortion. 

Medical and surgical Abortion – The Definition 

The Abortion procedures in India can be classified into two main types: Surgical Abortion and Medical Abortion. When done right by an expert gynecologist and, at best, an abortion clinic, they are proven effective in terminating pregnancies. Additionally, medical Abortion and abortion surgery—when done by a professional and expert abortion surgeon is often completed without complications and does not affect fertility. 

Medical Abortion – all you need to know 

Medical Abortion is a form in which termination of pregnancy is done with pills, also known as the abortion pill. It is performed in the early weeks of pregnancy, up to nine weeks. Two types of Medicines combinations are used in this abortion process – Mifepristone and Misoprostol – to end an unplanned pregnancy. It is a low-risk, non-invasive way to terminate a pregnancy and is around 90% effective. It is ideally performed between five to seven weeks of pregnancy and can be performed up to 9 weeks. 

Surgical Abortion – all you need to know 

Surgical Abortion is a pregnancy termination procedure that is minimally invasive and doesn’t require general anesthesia. Surgical abortions are best for people who want their Abortion completed in a clinic or hospital. Most surgical abortions are completed with a gentle suctioning technique called vacuum aspiration, which takes about five to ten minutes to complete. It is performed between 6-17 weeks of pregnancy and requires a more complex and longer procedure after 14 weeks of pregnancy. 

Medical and surgical Abortion – The basic procedure 

Medical abortion basics 

It, also known as nonsurgical Abortion, uses a combination of pills to terminate the pregnancy. Early pregnancy is up to 10 weeks of the first trimester and is determined by ultrasound. The doctor gives the first medicine, Mifepristone, which interferes with your body’s progesterone production. It is a hormone that is needed to maintain pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy sac detached from the uterine wall and stopped progressing. The second medicine is Misoprostol which is also known as the abortion pill. It facilitates a miscarriage by making your womb shed the pregnancy, and both are FDA approved.  

Medication abortion is performed using a combination of two medications, Mifepristone, and Misoprostol, instead of surgery to end a pregnancy and can be performed as pregnancy is confirmed in an ultrasound. A pregnancy requires high hormone progesterone levels to continue, and the Mifepristone pill works by blocking its work to stop the pregnancy from progressing. Another pill, Misoprostol, softens the cervix and contracts the womb to terminate the pregnancy.

Surgical abortion basics 

During a surgical abortion process,  experts use gentle suction to remove the womb’s contents. To choose from medical Abortion vs. Surgical Abortion depends upon your patient’s condition. There are two types of surgical Abortion, both of which use suction to remove a pregnancy from your uterus gently. 

1. First-trimester surgical Abortion can be done by using menstrual aspiration at one to three weeks after your missed periods and up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It is a simple method: a thin ultrasound-guided syringe is used to terminate the pregnancy by removing embryonic tissue from the uterine lining. 
2. Second-trimester surgical Abortion is done when you enter your 13th week of pregnancy and in your second trimester. Because the pregnancy is not advanced, it can be done smoothly as early trimester abortion. After the 17th week of pregnancy, the surgery becomes complicated and comprises two steps that take about two days. First, you will be given medicine that dilates your cervix overnight, and then the next day, Abortion is performed using gentle suction and medical tools. 

Medical and surgical abortion – pros and cons 

Medical abortion pros and cons 

Pro: Most women choose medical Abortion because it is an easy process, and they can choose this method again if required. About 95 percent of women who choose to have this wish to avoid the risks and complications of surgery. 

• Pro: It is entirely private as Abortion takes place at home, and you will be with those who support you. 
• Con: It is exactly like a natural miscarriage, and you may experience abdominal cramps and heavy bleeding. 
• Con: You have to take a holiday from school or work as it will need at least two visits to a clinic and sometimes more. 
•  Con: if nobody knows about Abortion, it is not a good option as someone should be there for you at home.

Surgical abortion pros and cons 

• Pro: the best option for those who have a busy schedule as it is a quick procedure that takes three hours maximum. 
• Pro: this is a painless method, and post-operative bleeding is light.
• Con: it is a minor process but like any other surgery it comes with inherent risks. It is possible that you may need a second procedure as well.
•  Con: you cannot drive a two or four-wheeler for about 24 hours after the surgical abortion procedure. 

Medical and surgical Abortion – Risks associated 

Medical Vs. Surgical Abortion both have risks involved. 

Risks involved in medical Abortion are: 

• It is less safe than abortion surgery but depends upon the case. 
• It can only be done if the pregnancy is less than nine weeks.
• It involves the risk of heavier and prolonged bleeding, and cramping is higher.
• It cannot be performed to end tubal or ectopic pregnancies.
• It takes longer to complete the full abortion surgery process. 
•  It has the risks of Incomplete or failed abortions 

Risks involved in surgical Abortion are: 

The surgical abortion process is an invasive procedure with a higher risk of perforation and damage; however, the chances are rare. 

Medical abortion and surgical abortion – Side effects 

Medical Abortion has more side effects than the surgical method, but also it depends and varies from case to case. Some side effects of the pills are cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, low-grade fever, and chills. There are no surgical risks associated with this, like injury to the cervix or uterus, as this is a non-invasive procedure. It might take longer for the entire process to complete and may require a couple of hospital visits. After the surgical Abortion, patients may feel tired for the rest of the day due to the sedation and may experience bleeding and mild cramping for less than two weeks. 

Medical or surgical abortion – Success rates

 Medical Abortion or abortion pills are very effective, especially in the first seven weeks of pregnancy. It works 98 percent during this time. Between the eighth to tenth week of gestation, it is effective 91 to 96 percent. In early ectopic pregnancy, the abortion shot given by a doctor is about 94 to 95 percent effective. 

The surgical abortion process is more than 99 percent effective, and fewer than one percent of people need a natural process. It is the go-to solution for incomplete or failed medical Abortion owing to its high success rate. 

 Medical or surgical Abortion – What to expect 

After the medical abortion procedure, you may expect heavy bleeding, severe back pain or abdominal pain, a fever lasting more than 24 hours, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. And all these require medical attention; thus, it is best to talk to your gynecologist about this. After the Abortion, you must visit the clinic for a follow-up to ensure that you are healing correctly. Your doctor will evaluate your uterine size, bleeding, and signs of infection if any. If your doctor suspects an incomplete abortion or ongoing pregnancy, you may need an ultrasound and possibly another surgical abortion.

After a surgical abortion, your gynecologist will guide you to take care of yourself and reduce the risk of infection. You have to shower instead of a bath, have to avoid sexual intercourse, use sanitary pads instead of tampons, and avoid swimming. If you experience heavy bleeding, fever or experience cramps, or tummy pain, then it is best to seek medical advice immediately. 

Medical and surgical Abortion – Aftercare and recovery 

It is vital to have a follow-up appointment with the gynecologist to ensure the procedure is complete and the pregnancy has ended. The recovery time it takes from a medical abortion will vary. Some women may be resuming normal activities within a day or two. They may also likely have many emotions like relief, sadness, stress, or guilt. These feelings are common and expected. It is best to speak with a mental health professional about your feelings. Your gynecologist will give you recommendations to stay mentally and physically healthy. 

After the surgical abortion process, It’s essential to take it easy on the same day. Some can return to their usual activities, excluding heavy lifting the next day, but in other cases, it may require more time.

How can Queen’s gynecology help you choose the right option? 

After finalizing to terminate your pregnancy, choosing the best termination procedure among the two medical VS surgical abortion is a personal decision taken with the help of expert doctors as it depends on your circumstances and needs. At Queen’s gynecology, we have a team of expert doctors trained in abortions. They help you decide by conserving many factors. The first consideration is how many weeks have been covered in pregnancy. If you are less than five weeks pregnant, you can get a medical abortion immediately without waiting. But if you are over five weeks pregnant, you must get the surgical procedure. Women 10-12 weeks pregnant will require a surgical abortion. Women between five to nine weeks pregnant can opt for a medical or surgical abortion. Some women wish to undergo the procedure in the privacy of their homes and choose medical abortions. And some women prefer having a doctor with them during the procedure and thus choose to have a surgical abortion. Our team will always support you, whichever option you want to choose for abortion.  If you’re considering getting a first-trimester abortion, at Queen’s gynecology, our compassionate team of doctors can assist you in deciding if getting an abortion is right for you and, if so, help you choose the proper abortion process. 

Conclusion

Unplanned pregnancies are pretty common, as per research, as one out of three women is likely to have an abortion before age 35. There are two methods for Abortion they are Medical Abortion and Surgical Abortion. These methods are based on the woman’s preferences, physical conditions, circumstances, and how far along in her pregnancy they may be. While comparing medical Vs. Surgical Abortion in terms of safety, both are safe, and efficient in terminating unwanted pregnancies. Medical methods are relatively safe, effective, and more straightforward and allow greater privacy than surgical abortion methods. Thus medical Abortion could be the method of choice for Abortion, especially for adolescents. An abortion procedure is a safe way to terminate a pregnancy for whatever reason. Therefore, it’s essential to have the right and needed information and access Queen’s gynecology, the best clinic in Delhi, to ensure you make the right choice.