Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
Read more health news
Elective Surgical Abortion
Overview & Description
When a woman chooses to end a pregnancy before the child is ready to be born, it is called an abortion. The fetus may be removed from the woman's uterus using one of two methods:
A surgical abortion is a medical procedure that takes an embryo or fetus from the uterus before it is able to live on its own. An abortion may be termed elective, because it is a chosen course of action, rather than a naturally occurring bodily process. (A naturally occurring abortion is also known as spontaneous.) Sometimes, an abortion is called therapeutic. This means it is a treatment used to protect the health of the woman. That is, to continue the pregnancy would endanger the woman's health.
Who is a candidate for the procedure?
Any woman who chooses to end a pregnancy for health or personal reasons is a candidate for an elective abortion. Abortions are legal in the United States during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. After that, the legality of abortion is regulated by each state.
How is the procedure performed?
Before doing an abortion, a doctor will confirm that the woman is pregnant as well as the approximate age of the fetus. A pelvic exam might be done to check the size of the uterus. Lab studies will rule out anemia, determine the woman's Rh factor, and screen for sexually transmitted diseases. The doctor should offer information about the procedure used. Psychological support should be given as needed.
Some of the options for surgical abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy are:
Some of the options for surgical abortions after 14 to 15 weeks of pregnancy include the following: