Unwanted pregnancy – surgical abortion
Every year about 17,000 abortions are performed in Denmark. Abortions
can be medical or surgical. What is important is that the method chosen
is the most effective; that is, the most complete and uncomplicated method,
and the one implying the least physical side-effects for the woman. Any
woman who’s a Danish citizen has the right to have an abortion performed
in Denmark; and it can be performed without referral from a family doctor.
Before the procedure, you’ll have an examination. You’ll have an ultrasound scan to determine the length of the pregnancy. Also, we need to make sure that the pregnancy is located in the uterus. After that, you and the specialist will have a talk to find out which method is best for you, a medical or a surgical abortion. It’s recommended that a medical abortion is performed before the end of week 8 or 9.
After week 9, surgical abortion is recommended. The main advantage of a surgical abortion is that you’ll bleed for fewer days than after a medical abortion. And you’ll not experience the labour-like pain that goes with a medical abortion (but for which you’ll get some painkillers).
Below you can read more about what happens during the procedure.
Before the procedure
The abortion is performed as an out-patient procedure. Afterwards you stay at the clinic for a couple of hours. But because there may be some side-effects of the anaesthesia, you must have somebody to come and pick you up at the clinic and stay with you for the next 24 hours. It’s important that you tell the specialist before the procedure about any drugs or medicine you take, because some of them are dangerous in combination with the anaesthesia.
Fasting:
-
You are
not
allowed to eat anything 6 hours before your operation.
-
You are allowed to drink water and juice until 2 hours before your operation.
The operation
You’ll have general anaesthesia for the procedure. We’ll put an IV line in the back of your hand and give you the anaesthesia through it. The operation is performed via the vagina and takes about 15 minutes. You’ll be given a drug that makes the uterus contract (Methergin).After the operation
You should take it easy for a day or two after the operation.
Pain
It’s normal to experience pain after the procedure. But Panodil painkillers
should be enough to deal with the pain.
Bleeding
You’ll bleed for about 2 weeks. The first week you’ll bleed a bit more
than during an ordinary period; then the bleeding will gradually lessen.
Hygiene
During this time, in order to reduce the risk of infection, you should
not
use tampons. Again, to avoid infection take showers only, and don’t go
swimming for 4 weeks after the procedure.
Activity
If you feel up to it, you can go back to work a couple of days after the
procedure. You shouldn’t have sex as long as you’re bleeding (or use a
condom). You can start taking the Pill the same evening you’ve had the
abortion. If you choose an IUS as contraception, make an appointment to
see your doctor.
Check-up
You’ll come in for a check-up 4 weeks after the procedure.