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==Medical Abortion==
==Medical Abortion==
Early medical abortion can be performed up until the 9th week of pregnancy. It involves the use of two drugs. The first is mifepristone (also known as RU 486) which is taken orally. This is a progesterone antagonist. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum in early pregancy and is responsible for maintaining the supporting uterine lining.
Early medical abortion can be performed up until the 9th week of pregnancy. It involves the use of two drugs. The first is mifepristone (also known as RU 486) which is taken orally. This is a progesterone antagonist. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum in early pregnancy and is responsible for maintaining the supporting uterine lining.
Between 36-48 hours after ingestion of mifepristone, prostaglandin vaginal pessaries are given which cause dilation of the neck of the womb. The lining of the womb, along with the pregnancy, are lost through the cervix.
Between 36-48 hours after ingestion of mifepristone, prostaglandin vaginal pessaries are given which cause dilation of the neck of the womb. The lining of the womb, along with the pregnancy, are lost through the cervix.
==Partial Birth Abortion==
==Partial Birth Abortion==
This method is also known as intruterine cranial decompression or intact dilation and extraction. It requires decompression of the fetal head before evacuation is performed. It is used for very late, third trimester abortions.
This method is also known as intrauterine cranial decompression or intact dilation and extraction. It requires decompression of the fetal head before evacuation is performed. It is used for very late, third trimester abortions.
This involves the dilation of the cervix to allow the passage of forceps. Under ultrasound guidance, the fetus is turned to a breech position. The fetus is then partially extracted, with the head remaining in the uterus. The fetal skull is then punctured and the brain removed by suction. This allows the head to pass through the cervix.
This involves the dilation of the cervix to allow the passage of forceps. Under ultrasound guidance, the fetus is turned to a breech position. The fetus is then partially extracted, with the head remaining in the uterus. The fetal skull is then punctured and the brain removed by suction. This allows the head to pass through the cervix.
==Risks of Abortion Procedures==
==Risks of Abortion Procedures==
The risks of an abortion procedure include procedure failure, haemorrhage, performation, damage to the cervix, infections and psychiatric morbidity.
The risks of an abortion procedure include procedure failure, hemorrhage, perforation, damage to the cervix, infections and psychiatric morbidity.
<sup>1</sup> NHS Direct Health Encylopaedia [http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=1§ionId=31760]
<sup>1</sup> NHS Direct Health Encylopaedia [http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=1§ionId=31760]