Last Updated: April 17, 2025
Contents of This Post:
- Medical Abortion: How an abortion doctor performs it?
- Suction Abortion: What you need to know about this procedure?
- Surgical Abortion: What you need to know before undergoing one?
- How a doctor will decide the best abortion method for you?
Once you decide to have an abortion, there are probably many things that you may want to know. One of these things is how the abortion procedure is going to take place and what it is going to entail.
While this is going to depend on where you get the abortion and what type of abortion you are going to get, there are some generalizations knowing which can help you learn a little bit about the procedure before you ever even go to your initial doctor consultation.
There are three main categories of abortion: medical abortion, suction abortion and surgical abortion. Unless the abortion procedure intends to save the mother’s life, all of these procedures must be done early on in the pregnancy. Up to when can you get an abortion depends on the local rules and regulations. If you are obtaining an abortion in Bangalore, India, you can obtain it for up to 20 weeks in normal cases. Late-term abortions are usually surgical procedures.
Let’s get you some insights on abortion procedures.
Medical Abortion: How an abortion doctor performs it?
Medical abortion, often called “the abortion pill,” allows patients to safely and privately end a pregnancy in its earliest stages (typically up to 6 weeks). Doctors prescribe two medications—mifepristone and misoprostol—which work together to terminate the pregnancy and empty the uterus. Unlike surgical methods, this process resembles a natural miscarriage, with most of the physical experience occurring at home. Healthcare providers oversee every step, from prescribing the pills to scheduling follow-up care, ensuring safety and minimizing risks.
While effective, this method requires strict adherence to medical guidelines and gestational age limits, which only a licensed clinician can confirm since the method is not suitable for ending all pregnancies. Besides, it can result in complications like incomplete abortion raising the overall cost of abortion. Or it can result in heavy bleeding which can add to the discomfort or become unmanageable for patients with bleeding disorders.
How it works?
Doctors prescribe two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, to terminate pregnancies up to 6 weeks.
Step 1: Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for the pregnancy to grow.
Step 2: Taken 24–48 hours later, misoprostol triggers uterine contractions to expel pregnancy tissue.
What to expect?
- Cramping and bleeding (like a heavy period) for 4–6 hours.
- Providers may advise pain relievers and rest.
- Follow-up appointments ensure the process is complete.
With a medical abortion, you will take medication including abortion pills in Bangalore, at the doctor’s office. Then, you will be able to go home. There, your body will await the effect of the medication, which will make you self-induce the abortion.
There are many benefits to using this type of abortion method. For example, it is non-invasive. However, there are also downsides. These include painful cramping and risk of incomplete abortion.
Suction Abortion: What you need to know about this procedure?
Suction abortion, also known as aspiration abortion, offers a safe and efficient alternative for patients eligible for medical abortion (up to 12 weeks). Unlike the abortion pill, which requires days of bleeding and follow-up monitoring, this in-clinic procedure allows patients to leave the same day with immediate confirmation of success. Clinicians gently remove pregnancy tissue using a small suction device, completing the process in 5–10 minutes under local anaesthesia or sedation.
At Bangalore Genesis Hospital, we prioritize patient choice and safety, offering suction abortion for intrauterine pregnancies up to 12 weeks gestation. Many patients opt for this method to avoid prolonged physical effects or uncertainty, trusting our medical team to ensure comfort, privacy, and a swift recovery.
How it works?
Clinicians perform this procedure for pregnancies up to 12 weeks. They gently dilate the cervix and use a suction device to remove pregnancy tissue. To create suction, they may either use a manual aspirator or an electric-motor driven aspirator. The process takes 5–10 minutes in a clinic or hospital.
What to expect?
Local anaesthesia or sedation minimizes discomfort. However, you can expect mild cramping during/after the procedure and light bleeding for 1–2 weeks. But this cramping is way too less than that with a medical abortion. Most patients resume normal activities within 1–2 days.
Surgical Abortion: What you need to know before undergoing one?
Surgical abortion, including dilation and curettage (D&C) or dilation and evacuation (D&E), offers a safe, one-time procedure for pregnancies beyond 12 weeks gestation or when other methods are not medically suitable. At Bangalore Genesis Hospital (BGH), our specialists perform D&E up to 20 weeks. It combines suction, medical instruments, and sometimes pre-procedure medication to soften the cervix.
Both methods take 10–20 minutes under sedation or general anaesthesia, allowing patients to recover in-clinic for a few hours before returning home the same day. While surgical abortion requires a clinic visit, it ensures immediate completion and minimizes uncertainty—ideal for patients seeking a swift, definitive resolution. Our team prioritizes safety, comfort, and personalized aftercare, guiding you through every step with expertise and compassion.
Some clinics prescribe medication 1–2 days prior to soften the cervix. But at BGH, we offer same day discharge for most of the procedures.
What to expect?
- Firstly, sedation or general anesthesia ensures comfort.
- Secondly, cramping and spotting for 1–2 weeks post-procedure is common.
- Besides, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
How Providers Determine the Best Abortion Method?
Doctors select a procedure based on:
- Gestational age: Ultrasound confirms pregnancy duration. Pills work only in early pregnancy, suction abortion is available for up to 12 weeks and D&E is required later.
- Pregnancy Location: These methods are for terminating intrauterine pregnancies only and do not terminate or treat ectopic pregnancies.
- Health factors: Pre-existing conditions (e.g., bleeding disorders) may rule out certain methods.
- Legal restrictions: Laws in your area may limit options based on pregnancy stage.
- Safety risks: Providers prioritize methods with the lowest complication rates for your situation.
Why patients can’t self-select?
Firstly, ultrasound is required to confirm gestational age. Secondly, underlying health issues (e.g., ectopic pregnancy) require immediate medical intervention. Clinicians explain risks, pain management, and recovery details specific to your case.
If Your Doctor Offers a Choice:
If multiple methods are available, ask:
- Physical experience: How much cramping/bleeding is typical? How long does the process take?
- Pain management: What options (e.g., sedation, pain relievers) are offered?
- Recovery time: When can you return to work, exercise, or childcare?
- Emotional support: Can the clinic connect you to counselling resources?
Example:
- Medication abortion allows privacy at home but involves longer bleeding.
- Surgical abortion is faster but requires a clinic visit.
Always consult a licensed provider to discuss your unique needs, local laws, and safety protocols. Self-managed abortion without medical guidance risks severe complications.
Contact us for abortion in India at the best abortion hospital.
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