What happens during a D&E (dilation and evacuation) procedure

D&E is usually used for abortions later than 16 weeks after your last period. Before a D&E abortion, your nurse or doctor will prepare your cervix.

This means you may get medication that helps open your cervix. Your doctor might also put small, dilator sticks called laminaria into the opening of your cervix a day or a few hours before the procedure.

The laminaria absorb fluid from your body and get bigger, which slowly stretches your cervix open. For later second-trimester abortions, you may also need a shot through your abdomen (belly) before the procedure starts. Before your abortion, you’ll get pain medicine to help with cramping. You may be able to get sedation during the abortion.

With some kinds of sedation, you’re awake but super relaxed, and with others you are completely asleep. You’ll also get antibiotics to help prevent infections. Once you’re in the procedure room, there will be a staff member there to help the doctor and support you during the abortion.

During a D&E abortion, the doctor or nurse will: examine your uterus put a speculum in to see into your vagina inject a numbing medication into or near your cervix stretch the opening of your cervix with a series of dilating rods insert a thin tube through your cervix into your uterus use a combination of medical tools and a suction device to gently take the pregnancy tissue out of your uterus Once the procedure is done, you’ll hang out in a recovery area until you feel better and are ready to leave.

A D&E procedure usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes. But your appointment will take longer because you’ll need to have an exam, read and sign forms, get your cervix prepared, and stay in the recovery room afterwards for up to about an hour. If you’re interested in getting birth control, ask about getting an implant, IUD, shot, or prescription for another kind of birth control while you’re there.

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