Second Trimester Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
During your appointment, you will have the opportunity to get answers to all of your questions and to discuss your options related to sedation, medications, aftercare, what to expect, the fetal tissue donation program, birth control options, and emotional support.
From 13 to 26 weeks LMP (since Last Menstrual Period), D&E or Dilation and Evacuation, is the procedure we use.
For gestation up to 15 weeks 1 day, one day appointments are available at the doctor's descretion. From 15 weeks 1 day to 22 weeks LMP, appointments are made for 2 consecutive days. Over 22 weeks LMP requires appointments on 3 or more consecutive days.
On the first day, an ultrasound (sonogram) is performed to determine the size of the fetus. Then, the abortion procedure is begun by numbing the cervix with injections and inserting dilators into the cervix. The dilators gently expand over the next several hours, opening the entrance to the uterus. Later that same day or the next day, the cervix is again numbed, the dilators are removed, and the doctor uses special instruments to evacuate (remove) the pregnancy from the uterus, followed by suction to remove the last blood and tissue. In pregnancies over 22 weeks LMP, more dilators are inserted on the second day and evacuation occurs later that day or on the third day. The medical procedure lasts about 10-15 minutes. Additional medications may be used to help the cervix soften and open.
After the procedure, depending on the anesthesia medications (sedation) you have had, you are able to leave the clinic within 20 minutes to two hours. If you had sedation, you cannot drive afterward so you must have a driver to take you home.
On the day of your first appointment, you will be at the clinic for three to five hours. On subsequent days, the appointment will last one to two hours. You may return to work or school the next day.
At the discretion of the doctor, some D&E procedures in the 13-15 week range may be performed on one day. If distance from the clinic makes it difficult for you to be there on consecutive days, ask about a one-day procedure when you call (800-572-4223) to make your appointment.
For further information, see
- First Trimester Suction Aspiration Abortion
- Abortion Pill
- Comparison between The Abortion Pill and Aspiration in first trimester
- The Day of Your Appointment
- Sedation Options
- Aftercare after a surgical abortion
More about second trimester abortion.
