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Sexual Health Centre
Abortion |
Manual Vacuum
Aspiration (MVA)
What is it?
This is a simple procedure done
early in pregnancy, which uses the suction of a syringe to remove the pregnancy
tissue from the uterus. A local anaesthetic
is used to numb the cervix and medicines to reduce pain and anxiety may
also be offered. A thin tube is guided through the cervical opening into
the uterus. The syringe is attached to the tube and used to remove the contents
of the uterus. It takes less than ten minutes.
You should have a follow-up
exam three weeks later to make sure it was a success.
When is the
procedure done?
This procedure is done early
in pregnancy in the first seven to eight weeks from the start
of your last period.
Advantages
- simple low-risk procedure
- can be done early before
signs of pregnancy occur
- is over with more quickly
than a medical abortion
- more effective than a medical
abortion
Disadvantages
- because the procedure is
done so early, there is a one to two percent chance it will be incomplete
and need to be repeated
- side effects include abdominal
cramping, pain and menstrual-like bleeding
- serious complications like
infection or damage to the uterus are possible but very rare and occur
in less than 0.5 percent of cases
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