On the table below you can see a summary of the differences between medical an surgical abortion, which helps you to compare the methods and to make your personal decision.
How to choose between medical an surgical abortion?
| Method | Surgical abortion | Medical abortion |
|---|---|---|
| Done by: | An experienced doctor (the doctor carries the responsibility) | The patient, who takes the tablet independentely (more responsibilty for the patient, also more confrontation) |
| Duration | A couple of minutes |
Several days:
1st day: Mifegyne 3rd day: Prostaglandin Expulsion usually happens without bein noticed (additional surgery is needed in 2% of the cases) |
| Additional medication | Local or general anaesthesia | Possibly painkillers |
| bleeding | weak | Usually a bit stronger and longer lasting than menstruation |
| complications | very rare: injury of the uterus, infections, incidents during anaesthesia | Very rare |
| Side effects | Possibly nausea after surgery | Cramplike pain, nausea, rarely: vomiting, diarrhea |
| Effects on fertility | possible but extremely rare in case of complications | none observed |
| when can it be done | as soon as a pregnancy test is positiv until the 14th week of pregnancy | approved for early abortion as soon as a positve pregnancy test until the 63rd day (9th week), but effective throughout pregnancy |
| Advantages | Procedure is very fast and complications are very rare | Can be performed very early, no anaesthesia needed, the patient does not hand over the control over her body |
| Disadvantages | Only possible from the 6th week of pregnancy onwards, the patient surrenders the control over her body, anaesthesia may be needed | the patient needs some time, the treatment takes a couple of days , stronger bleeding, possibly pain |