Suction and Evacuation is a surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated or opened, and vacuum or suction is used to remove or in other words ‘evacuate’ tissue from the uterus. Other names of Suction and Evacuation are Suction Aspiration or Vacuum Aspiration. This is a method which is mainly used to remove uterine contents from the uterus through the cervix. It may be used as a method of an induced abortion procedure, after miscarriage or as a procedure to get a sample for endometrial biopsy. The rate of infection is very low as compared to any other surgical abortion procedure. Normally, there is no need of being hospitalized or staying overnight in the doctor’s clinic or hospital after the surgery. All the abortion procedures are out-patient.
Suction and Evacuation vs Medication Abortion
Medication abortion is the termination of pregnancy by taking oral pills or medicines. The number of women who are choosing this method of abortion is increasing at quite a rapid rate but aspiration abortion, surgical or suction and evacuation abortion is currently the most common method used for abortions during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. This is due to easier access and higher success rates. These are some of the reasons why women choose aspiration abortion over medication abortion. Besides, a surgical abortion takes less time and is completed in a specific period of time. The number of visits required for surgical abortion is set beforehand and the procedure is safe for the woman.
When is Suction and Evacuation required?
Sometimes after a miscarriage, this surgery is required for proper removal and cleaning of the uterus. Suction and Evacuation is also frequently required after vaginal delivery to clear and clean the uterus. It is also required after an elective abortion. Apollo Cradle Nehru Place is capable and equipped enough to handle these cases. They have highly trained doctors, nurses and technicians to perform the Suction and Evacuation abortion.
Types of Abortions
There are different types of abortion procedures available that are done in clinics or hospitals. The type of abortion you get will depend almost entirely on how far along you are in your pregnancy. The doctor decides the exact surgery for the patient based on the duration that had gone through in pregnancy.
If you are in your first trimester of pregnancy, vacuum aspiration will be the choice for the abortion. In vacuum aspiration, uterine content is removed through the cervix. This method can be suggested in the cases in induced abortion, a therapeutic procedure after miscarriage or to obtain a sample for endometrial biopsy. If you’re in your second trimester and it has been more than 13 weeks since your last menstrual period, medical practitioner suggests a dilation and evacuation, or D&E. Sometimes this process is a combination of vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage D&C. In this procedure, there is the use of a surgical instrument like forceps. If you’re in a later stage than that, you might need a dilation and extraction or D&X. An ultrasound is also required for checking the size of the uterus and to determine the number of weeks of pregnancy before a D & X.
Before the Procedure of Suction and Evacuation
After scheduling your appointment, the nurse or the technicians will give you some instruction directly. As abortions are surgeries, your doctor may suggest having fast started around midnight the night before the procedure. Some tests will be conducted after the completion of paperwork and other formalities. You will be asked to answer questions related to your medical history. The tests that will be conducted would include a physical examination, blood test, pregnancy tests, etc. This will also help in checking for uterine, fetal, or placental abnormalities. Some hospitals or clinics may only require a pelvic examination which is conducted physically to check and estimate the size and position of the uterus. Your doctor will discuss the results of all the tests and procedures with you before continuing with the abortion. The various methods of abortion will be discussed, and the doctor will suggest the best method based on the results of the tests and the procedures.
Pain Management
Surgeries and surgical procedures are often associated with pain. In the case of abortion through Suction and Evacuation, your doctor will discuss and suggest about different types of pain reliever available. This will make you feel comfortable during the procedure. Normally local anaesthesia is being given to the patient. In such a case, your abdominal region will be numbed but you’ll be awake during the procedure. An adequate quantity of ibuprofen is usually given to relieve the pain. Sometimes the doctor might also prescribe an oral medication to calm down the patient and keep her awake but relaxed. You can request your doctor for a light or heavy sedation according to your pain tolerance.
The procedure of Suction and Evacuation
While performing the Suction and Evacuation, a Cannula which a thin tube is inserted into the uterus and connected to a source of suction. This source can either be an electric pump or a handheld syringe. The vaginal walls will then be separated by using a speculum. This will bring the cervix in view. This procedure may be a little uncomfortable for the patient, but it should not be painful. Ask your doctor to readjust the speculum if it’s painful. The next step of the procedure is the cleaning of the cervix with an antiseptic solution. A tenaculum, which is a slender instrument with a long handle, is used to open the cervix and keep it in the proper position for the abortion. This might result in some pain, discomfort and cramps. Other medicines will also be injected which might cause some burning sensation. According to some women, ringing in ears and tingling in lips and tongues is also common when medicines are injected into the cervix. With eliminating and inserting, the opening of stretch will be opened to increase the size. Some pressure and cramps can be expected when the cervix is being dilated.
The process of dilating the cervix typically takes less than two minutes. The cannula is then inserted into the uterus through the cervix. If a vacuum machine is used by the doctor, the humming of the machine will be heard while the tissue is being drawn out. It takes only a few minutes to perform the procedure by handheld or electric vacuum. Some cramping and discomfort are normal as the uterus contracts and empties the pregnancy tissue. The cramps range from mild to intense as the blood vessels in the uterus are squeezed. The cramps are reduced immediately after the cannula is removed from the body. The tissue that has been removed from the uterus is examined for completeness. This is done to ensure that no pregnancy tissue is left in the uterus.
After the Procedure of Suction and Evacuation
After the procedure has been completed, a nurse or a technician will make sure that you are feeling okay. You will be moved to a comfortable room or sitting space where you will be required to rest for a while. As sedatives are given to the patients, most patients don’t feel anything for some time after the procedure. It takes about an hour or two to completely recover from the procedure. After this, the effect of the sedatives starts to neutralize, and slight discomfort could be felt. It is advisable to take rest for a 1 or 2 days after the procedure.
Benefits of Suction and Evacuation
- Vacuum aspiration or suction and evacuation is a procedure that can be done in the early stages of pregnancy. It is the only surgical abortion procedure used for the pregnancy younger than the six weeks.
- Suction and Evacuation is a less complicated procedure and has fewer complications when compared to D&C.
- The method is quick, convenient and cost-effective and doesn’t take much time.
- Less medication is required during the procedure.
- This facility is easily available even in small clinics and hospitals and is cheap and affordable.
- This is the only procedure available for doing abortion effectively and efficiently.
- The patient need not take leave from their workplace for a long period and may resume their normal activities in 2-3 days only.
- The procedure is safe and secure, and the rate of infection is very low as compared to any other surgical abortion procedure.
- There is no need of being hospitalized or staying overnight in the doctor’s clinic or hospital after the surgery.
- It has easier access and higher success rates as compared to other procedures.
Doctors at Apollo Cradle Nehru Place are capable, equipped, trained and always available to help you in case of any complications. They are competent enough to handle these cases. Apollo Cradle Nehru Place has highly trained doctors, nurses, technicians, and other support staff to perform the Suction and Evacuation abortion.
Apollo Cradle Specialist
