It is vital to understand the abortion terminology, procedures, and risks involved with different types of abortions.

• Suction Aspiration- This method is used in most first trimester abortions. A powerful suction tube with a sharp cutting edge is inserted into the womb through the dilated cervix. The suction dismembers the body of the developing fetus and tears the placenta from the wall of the uterus, sucking blood, amniotic fluid, placental tissue, and fetal parts into a collection bottle.
• Dilatation and Curettage (D & C)- In this method, the cervix is dilated or stretched to permit the insertion of a loop shaped steel knife. The body of the fetus is cut into pieces and removed and the placenta is scraped off the uterine wall.
• RU 486- In this method, a woman swallows the RU 486 pills, which blocks the action of progesterone, the natural hormone vital to maintaining the rich nutrient lining of the uterus. The developing fetus starves as the nutrient lining disintegrates. Medication is given to initiate uterine contractions, and sometimes surgery is needed to complete the abortion. This abortion method is a three part process.
• Methotrexate- This method is similar to RU 486, as an injection attacks the growing cells, drawing oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s blood supply and destroys the uterine lining, thus losing the pregnancy. Deprived of food, oxygen, and fluids, the fetus dies. This chemical’s intended use is as a cancer treatment.
• Dilatation and Evacuation (D & E)- This method is similar to the D & C, except forceps with sharp metal jaws are used to grasp parts of the developing fetus, which are then twisted and torn away. This continues until the fetus’ entire body is removed from the womb. At times, the fetus’ skull must sometimes be compressed or crushed to facilitate removal.
• Saline- A needle is inserted into the mother’s abdomen and amniotic fluid is withdrawn and replaced with concentrated salt. The fetus breathes in, swallowing the salt, and is poisoned. The chemical solution also causes painful burning and deterioration of the fetus’ skin. The fetus dies and the mother delivers a dead, burned, and shriveled fetus.
• Urea- Hypersomolar Urea is sometimes used like the salt and is almost always supplemented by oxytocin or prostaglandin in order to achieve the abortion. Incomplete or failed abortion remains a problem, using requiring additional surgery to remove the entire fetus.
• Prostaglandins- These are naturally produced chemical compounds which normally assist in the birthing process. Prematurely injected into the amniotic sac, a violent labor occurs and the fetus does not survive because it is too young.