takes less than 10 minutes. Sensations will vary, but they are mostly described as cramping or
discomfort, which generally subsides within a few minutes after the procedure is over.
Early Nonsurgical/Medication Abortion (4-11 weeks or up to 70 days) – While in the clinic, a
drug, Mifepristone, is given to stop the development of the pregnancy. One to two days later, at
home, a second drug (Misoprostol) is taken, causing the uterus to contract and expel the embryo
and placenta. During this process cramping and bleeding will occur.
Second Trimester (13-21.6 wks) Dilation and Evacuation – During the initial appointment, the
osmotic dilators are inserted into the patient's cervix to begin the process of slow and gentle
dilation of the cervix. The abortion procedure occurs several hours later, or in some cases one or
two days later and involves removal of the pregnancy with forceps. A suction instrument is used
to clean the uterus, and a curette is used to check the uterine walls. Patients are then monitored in
recovery for at least 2 hours following the procedure.
Complications of Abortion – Possible complications include: blood clots accumulating in the
uterus, requiring another suction procedure; infections, most of which are easily identified and
treated if the woman carefully observes follow-up instructions; a tear in the cervix, which may be
repaired with stitches; perforation of the wall of the uterus and/or other organs, which may heal
themselves or may require surgical repair or, rarely, hysterectomy; and abortion that is not
complete or that does not end the pregnancy may require the procedure to be repeated; excessive
bleeding due to failure of the uterus to contract, which may require a blood transfusion; death. In
the second trimester, risks increase with every week of gestation.
3. Risks with terminating a pregnancy vs. carrying a pregnancy to term: There is
approximately 1 death for every 167,000 women who have legal abortions and these rare deaths
are usually of adverse reactions to anesthesia, heart attacks, or uncontrollable bleeding. The
death rate for a woman carrying to term is about 10 times greater.
4. Your blood type will be determined the day of your appointment. Approximately 15% of
the population is Rh-negative. All Rh-negative women will receive an injection of Rhogam to
prevent problems with future pregnancies such as miscarriage, severe fetal anemia or permanent
fetal damage. There is no extra cost for a Rhogam injection.
5. State-written materials are available in printed form and online which list agencies which
offer alternatives to abortion with a special section listing adoption services and providers of free
ultrasound services, provide detailed information on the availability of assistance for prenatal
care, childbirth, perinatal, and neonatal care, and contain additional State-mandated information.
A link to the State written materials is available on the Comprehensive Health of Planned
Parenthood homepage, as required by law. The information stated there does not necessarily
reflect current medical opinion or that of Comprehensive Health.
6. Alternatives to abortion include parenting, foster care and adoption. For information
about perinatal resources in Kansas, visit www.kdheks.gov/cf/maternal.html or contact the
Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Perinatal Health Consultant at (785) 296-1307.
For information about national perinatal resources, visit the National Perinatal Association at
wwww.nationalperinatal.org and Bright Futures at www.brightfutures.org.
7. You are free to withhold or withdraw your consent to the abortion procedure at any time
prior to the dilation of the cervix during a surgical abortion or at any time prior to the