How an abortion is carried out in Shanghai

In most cases, an abortion will be carried out as a day procedure and an overnight stay in hospital will not be needed.

Before the abortion Shanghai

When you go for your first appointment, you should be given the opportunity to talk about your situation. You will be informed about the different methods of abortion, and which method is suitable for your stage of pregnancy. You will also be advised about any related risks and complications. The doctor or nurse will take your medical history to make sure the type of abortion you are offered is suitable for you. You will have a blood test to check your blood group and to see if you are anemic. You should also be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and may be given antibiotics to stop an infection developing after the abortion.

Before having an abortion, you may also need to have:

• an ultrasound scan (if there is any doubt about how many weeks pregnant you are)
• a vaginal (internal) examination
• a cervical screening test (if appropriate)

If you have never had a vaginal examination before, the healthcare professional examining you will be aware you are anxious and will be as careful as possible. You should let them know if you are anxious and have not been examined internally before.

You may also be given information and advice about which method of contraception to use after the abortion. Finally, before having the abortion, you will be given a consent form to sign.

Methods of abortion

There are a number of different methods of abortion. The method recommended for you will depend on how many weeks pregnant you are. This is usually calculated by counting the number of weeks from the first day of your last period. The methods of abortion are described below.

Early medical abortion (up to 9 weeks of pregnancy)

An early medical abortion in Shanghai China involves taking two different medicines 48 hours apart. The effect of the medication will be similar to an early natural miscarriage.

After your initial visit to see the doctor, you will have two more appointments on different days. On your first visit you will be given an abortion pill called mifepristone, which blocks the hormone that makes the lining of the womb suitable for the fertilized egg. After taking the first pill, you will be able to go home and continue your normal everyday activities.

Very little will happen while you are waiting for the second part of the treatment. A few women will have mild cramps and a little bleeding, but most will not.

If you have heavier bleeding or significant pain, you should contact the hospital or clinic. If it is out-of- hours, you should go to your nearest walk-in center or local hospital's accident and emergency (A&E) department.

Two days later, on your second visit to the hospital or clinic, you will be given the second medicine, prostaglandin. Within 4-6 hours of taking prostaglandin, your womb lining will break down and be lost, along with the embryo, through bleeding from your vagina. This part of the process can be painful, but you can take a painkiller.

Medicines used during an early medical abortion may make you sick and you may have diarrhea.

In some areas of the Shanghai China, the second dose of medication is administered on an outpatient basis and the abortion can be managed at your home. This will be discussed with you if that is offered by the clinic or hospital.

Vacuum aspiration or suction termination (from 7-15 weeks of pregnancy)

Vacuum aspiration, or suction termination, is a procedure that uses gentle suction to remove the fetus from the womb. The procedure usually takes 5-10 minutes and can be carried out under a local anesthetic or general anesthetic.

Your cervix (womb entrance) will be dilated (widened) to make accessing your womb easier. A tablet may be placed inside your vagina a few hours before the abortion to soften your cervix and make it easier to open. Sometimes, an alternative ‘preparing’ tablet is given by mouth.

A small, plastic suction tube connected to a pump will then be inserted into your womb and used to remove the fetus and surrounding tissue.

After having a vacuum aspiration abortion, you will usually be able to go home the same day. However, following the procedure, you will usually experience some bleeding which can last for up to 14 days.

In most cases, the bleeding will be quite heavy for 2-3 days before settling down. Some women only bleed for 3-4 days in total. You may experience mild or moderate cramps for which you can take simple painkillers.

Late medical abortion (from 13 weeks of pregnancy)

As well as being used for early abortion, mifepristone and prostaglandin can also be used for abortion later in pregnancy. However, the abortion will take longer and more than one dose of prostaglandin may be needed. This type of abortion is similar to having a late natural miscarriage.

After having a late medical abortion, you will usually be able to return home on the same day. However, sometimes an overnight stay in hospital may be required.

In rare cases, a second course of prostaglandin tablets may be required. This will be discussed with you. In a small number of cases (less than 1 in 20), the placenta or afterbirth does not pass. In this case, you may need to have a small operation under a general anesthetic to remove the placenta.

Surgical dilation and evacuation (from 15 weeks of pregnancy)

Surgical dilation and evacuation (D&E) is a procedure carried out under general anesthetic. Your cervix will be gently stretched and dilated and forceps and a suction tube will be used to remove the fetus.

Surgical D&E usually takes 10-20 minutes to perform and, if you are healthy and there are no complications, you may be able to return home the same day. As with vacuum aspiration, you may experience some bleeding for up to 14 days.

Late abortion in Shanghai (20-24 weeks)

There are two options for a late abortion carried out at 20-24 weeks. Both require an overnight stay in hospital and are described below.

• Surgical two-stage abortion - stage one stops the heartbeat of the fetus and softens the cervix. Stage two is carried out the following day and involves removing the fetus and surrounding tissue. Both stages are carried out under general anesthetic.
• Medically induced abortion - is similar to a late natural miscarriage and involves the medicine, prostaglandin, being injected into your womb, making it contract strongly (as in labour). Contractions can last 6-12 hours. You will remain awake during the procedure and may be given medicines to help control the pain. D&E may then be used to ensure the womb is completely empty.