A vacuum aspiration abortion is the term for the surgery used to perform a first trimester abortion. This procedure is done while you are situated in a gynecological examination position-lying down with knees bent and apart. A pelvic examination is done to determine size, position, and consistency of the uterus.
A vacuum aspiration abortion is done while you are situated in a gynecological examination position-lying down with knees bent and apart. A pelvic examination is done to determine size, position, and consistency of the uterus. The examiner inserts two fingers in the vagina, gently holding the cervix and pressing down on the abdomen with the free hand so that the uterus can be felt between the two hands. A speculum will be inserted into the vagina to hold the vaginal walls apart so that the cervix can be viewed easily. A local anesthetic will help numb the cervix.
The physician will attach an instrument (tenaculum) to the cervix to hold it steady before beginning the dilation. This is done by inserting successively larger dilators (long slender metal rods) through the cervix one at a time until the opening leading into the uterus is large enough to accommodate the cannula, the straw-sized tube that is used for the abortion. Most women feel cramping during the dilation.
After the cannula is inserted, the vacuum aspirator is turned on, and a cramping sensation may be felt for two to three minutes until the abortion is over.
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