Medical expert of the article
New publications
Termination of pregnancy in the first week
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Unfortunately, there are situations when pregnancy comes unplanned or there are acute contraindications to pregnancy and then the woman decides to make an interruption. What are the methods of abortion in the first week? What indications and contraindications for the procedure? We will tell about all this below.
Medical indications for abortion in the first week
- Insufficiency of blood circulation or severe disturbances in the work of the heart and blood vessels;
- leukemia and other severe diseases of the hematopoietic system;
- severe respiratory system diseases or an open form of tuberculosis;
- kidney failure, dialysis, the absence of one kidney;
- a stomach ulcer or severe diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- severe forms of diabetes mellitus or severe disorders in the thyroid gland;
- the presence of malignant tumors;
- severe violations in the field of ophthalmology;
- HIV, syphilis;
- severe forms of epilepsy, other mental disorders (schizophrenia, dementia);
- recent severe surgical operations (including delivery by cesarean section) in time less than six months ago;
- the presence of diseases that cause malformations of the fetus (rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis);
- severe form of toxicosis (threatening the life of the mother);
- age to 16 years (relative contraindication).
Surveys necessary for interruption of pregnancy in the first weeks
- cytological examination for the presence of infections;
- a blood test for syphilis and HIV and a blood group with rhesus;
- gynecological examination to exclude acute and chronic inflammatory processes;
- ultrasound examination to determine the exact period of pregnancy.
Interruption of pregnancy in the first weeks can be performed by three methods, namely: vacuum aspiration, medication and instrumental method. Each type of abortion in the first weeks has its advantages and disadvantages.
Vacuum aspiration or mini-abortion
The most sparing method of aborting a woman. Produced by vacuum sucking the fetal egg and its membranes through the cervix with a special thin tip. The procedure lasts no more than 10 minutes and occurs under local anesthesia. At the request of the patient, general anesthesia can be used. After vacuum aspiration, it is desirable to stay under the supervision of doctors for several hours. This method of interrupting an unwanted pregnancy in the first weeks can be done up to a period of 6 obstetric weeks, which is confirmed by an ultrasound examination. Do vacuum aspiration is strictly recommended in specialized clinics or outpatient clinics.
Benefits of abortion during the first week by vacuum aspiration:
- absence of possibility of damage to the cervix and uterine cavity;
- the speed of the procedure;
- relative painlessness of the procedure;
- minimal probability of inflammatory processes after the procedure.
Disadvantages of abortion during the first week by vacuum aspiration:
- The probability of termination of pregnancy in this way is 98%;
- The probability of not fully yielding a fetal egg is 5%, which can lead to bad consequences;
- The probability of infertility is 5%.
After a few days after the vacuum aspiration, it is recommended to repeat the ultrasound in order to make sure that the termination of the pregnancy is performed.
Medical method of abortion
Drug abortion during the first week is made by using special medications, namely mifepristone or mifegin, which inhibit the production of the most important hormone of pregnancy - progesterone. In consequence of which the fetus perishes. Next, the patient is offered to use prostaglandin preparations, which lead to spontaneous miscarriage. This method is allowed only in several countries, namely: Great Britain, France, Sweden and China. In Ukraine, medical abortion is prohibited, since it is believed that it has a large number of complications. This type of termination of pregnancy should be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor.
The benefits of abortion during the first week by a medicamentous method:
- absence of traumatization of the cervix and uterine cavity;
- simplicity of procedure;
- The probability of subsequent pregnancy is maintained at the initial level.
Disadvantages of abortion during the first week by a medicamentous method:
- high probability of bleeding;
- probability of not fully yielding the fetal egg;
- Relative soreness of procedure (mini genera);
- probability of hormonal failure.
After a few days after the medical termination of pregnancy, it is recommended to do a second ultrasound to make sure that the procedure is performed correctly.
Instrumental method of abortion
The most traumatic method of abortion in the first weeks. It is used in the case when the method of vacuum aspiration is no longer possible, namely at the period of 6-12 midwifery weeks. With this method of interruption of pregnancy, the cervix is enlarged by means of special instruments, then the complete curettage of the walls of the uterus is performed with the help of a curette. The procedure in most cases is carried out under short-term general anesthesia, but there are options for using local anesthesia. Instrumental method of abortion is carried out strictly in the hospital, after which the patient must spend another day under the supervision of doctors.
Benefits of abortion during the first weeks by the instrumental method:
- almost 100% guarantee of complete termination of pregnancy;
- the minimal probability of presence of the remains of the embryo in the uterine cavity.
Disadvantages of termination of pregnancy in the first weeks of the instrumental method:
- a high probability of complications (bleeding, uterine damage, infection);
- the probability of infertility is 20%;
- painful procedure.
After a few days after the instrumental method of aborting the first week, it is recommended to do a second ultrasound to make sure that the procedure is performed correctly.