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In vacuum aspiration, a doctor uses gentle suction to remove the contents of the uterus. There are two methods of vacuum (or suction) aspiration.
Vacuum aspiration is a minor medical procedure. A normal recovery includes:
After the procedure:
You can get pregnant in the weeks after an abortion. If you don't want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about birth control options.
Vacuum aspiration can be done in the first trimester to end a pregnancy. It may also be done to empty the uterus after:
Vacuum aspiration is a common type of surgical abortion. It is usually effective. In rare cases, the procedure doesn't end a pregnancy. This is more likely to happen during the earliest weeks of pregnancy.
Vacuum aspiration rarely causes any problems. Possible problems include:
Current as of: November 27, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review BoardAll Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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