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Artificial abortion
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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The vagina is exposed using speculums. The anterior lip of the cervix is grasped with bullet forceps.
To determine the size of the cervix and body of the uterus and to obtain an idea of the direction of the uterine axis, probing is performed. The cervical canal is expanded using Hegar dilators, usually to No. 11-12. Scraping is performed with curettes, which are inserted freely, without force, to the very bottom, determined by slight resistance. Then, with an energetic movement, parts of the ovum are scraped off the anterior, lateral and posterior walls of the uterus. Scraping is performed from top to bottom, from the bottom of the uterus to the external os.
If the pregnancy period is more than 9 weeks, the removal of large parts of the fertilized egg is performed using an abortion forceps. It grasps those parts of the fertilized egg that are brought to the internal os and are located freely in the uterine cavity.
After the removal of the main parts of the ovum, the entire surface of the uterus is checked with a small curette, which removes small scraps of tissue. Scraping is performed until the uterus contracts and bleeding stops, and not until the characteristic crunch appears, which indicates significant exposure of the muscular membrane of the uterus.
An artificial abortion is performed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy at the request of the woman (social indications) and in cases of illnesses in which the continuation of the pregnancy threatens the woman’s health (medical indications).
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