Surgery Overview
Vacuum aspiration uses gentle suction to empty the uterus after a miscarriage. Many miscarriages pass on their own, but some don't. With an incomplete miscarriage, some of the pregnancy tissue stays in the uterus. With a missed miscarriage, all of the tissue stays in the uterus.
You may have manual or electric vacuum aspiration. With manual vacuum, the doctor uses a specially designed syringe to apply suction. With electric vacuum, a thin tube is attached to a pump that provides suction.
After the procedure, you may have bleeding and spotting. These symptoms usually don't last more than a few days. You also may have cramps that feel like menstrual cramps. Cramping may last up to a few weeks.
It's common to have many different emotions after a miscarriage. It's also common to want to know why a miscarriage has happened. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make emotions stronger than usual. These feelings can last awhile.
What To Expect
Vacuum aspiration is a minor medical procedure. A normal recovery includes:
- Irregular bleeding or spotting for the first 2 weeks. Use sanitary pads until you stop bleeding. Using pads makes it easier to monitor your bleeding.
- Cramps similar to menstrual cramps. They help to shrink the uterus back to its non-pregnant size. You may have cramping for up to a few weeks.
After the procedure:
Why It Is Done
Vacuum aspiration can be done in the first trimester to end a pregnancy. It may also be done to empty the uterus after:
- A failed or incomplete medical abortion.
- Death of the embryo or fetus (miscarriage).
How Well It Works
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.
Risks
Vacuum aspiration rarely causes any problems. Possible problems include:
- Tissue remaining in the uterus.
- Failure to end the pregnancy (when it's used for abortion).
- Injury to the cervix.
- A hole in the wall of the uterus (uterine perforation).
- Heavy vaginal bleeding.
- Infection.
Credits
Current as of: November 27, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
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