Suction aspiration is a medical procedure in which the lining of the womb is removed by means of suction through a narrow tube. Suction aspiration takes about 15 minutes and is performed under local anaesthesia. You may bring someone to accompany you. After the treatment, you can take some rest at the centre. During and after the treatment, you will be accompanied by a care provider. You will spend a total of one to three hours at the centre.
During your stay you will go through the following steps:
- You will be given a drug to soften your cervix (Misoprostol). It will take about 60 minutes.
- For the treatment itself, you take your place on a gynaecological chair. The doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina and disinfects it.
- The cervix is locally anaesthetised and widened. A local anaesthetic means that you get a small prick near your cervix. Therefore, you will not feel pain at that spot. However, the inside of your uterus is not anaesthetised, so the treatment is not completely painless. You may experience abdominal cramps, like during your period.
- Using a speculum, the doctor inserts a narrow tube into your uterine cavity. Your uterus is emptied through that tube. The suction takes about 1 to 2 minutes. If you are more than 13 weeks pregnant, the treatment lasts 10 to 20 minutes.
- When the uterine cavity is emptied, the uterus contracts, which can temporarily cause moderate to severe cramps.
- After that you will rest in a room for a while until you feel well. A care provider will stay near you during that time. If everything goes well, you can go home afterwards.
If you have an appointment for a suction aspiration, please bring the following items with you:
- 1 extra pair of briefs (not a thong)
- sanitary towels
- a nightshirt or long T-shirt
- a jumper or sweater
- slippers
After the treatment, you can immediately become pregnant again. Therefore, start using contraception immediately. Do you want an IUD to be placed? This is possible during or after your first period. You can contact your family doctor or gynaecologist for this. If you want to have it put in at the LUNA centre, you have to make a new appointment.
