Surgical abortion, also known as suction aspiration abortion, can be performed in a one-day procedure if less than 14 weeks have passed since the first day of your last menstrual period. The procedure is done in the doctor’s office with local anesthesia and oral pain-relieving medications.

Surgical abortion involves a minor operation. There are two types of surgical abortion:

Vacuum aspiration can be done with local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthetic

• Removes the pregnancy by gentle suction.
• Up to 14 weeks, this can be done with local anaesthetic. The quicker recovery time for this procedure means you can leave the clinic unattended and drive sooner.
• Up to 15 weeks this can be done with sedation (relaxed and sleepy) or under general anaesthetic.

Dilatation and Evacuation – between 15 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.

• Up to 18 weeks it may be under general anaesthetic or conscious sedation.
• At 18 weeks or above the procedure is done under general anaesthetic.
• The pregnancy is removed using narrow forceps through the neck of the womb (cervix).

Preparing the cervix 

• Cervical preparation is given before any surgical abortion at all gestations.

You will be in a private room during your health education session, exam, procedure and recovery. The entire visit will take around three hours if you are less than 12 weeks pregnant. If you are 12 to 14 weeks pregnant, your visit will last five to six hours. In either case, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.