According to the World Health Organization (WHO), abortion is a safe medical procedure, when it is carried out by qualified medical personnel, with the appropriate equipment, the correct method and with respect of sanitary standards (WHO, 2003).
Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) is recommended by WHO as one of the methods of pregnancy interruption in the first trimester.
What is Manual Vacuum Aspiration?
MVA is the process through which the content of the uterus is evacuated using negative pressure produced by a special syringe. For aspiration there are used plastic flexible cannulas of different sizes depending on the term of pregnancy. This method avoids the trauma of the cervix and of the endometrium.
The advantages of the Manual Vacuum Aspiration:
- This method avoids trauma to the cervix and endometrium: before the term of 7 weeks, the cannula can be inserted without cervix dilation and control curettage of the uterus is not needed.
- Immediate examination of the aspiration product (the fetal egg remains intact in the syringe) allows to confirm complete evacuation of the uterine content and to diagnose early ectopic pregnancy.
- The procedure takes much less time than dilatation and curettage (D&C), and can be performed under local anesthesia. In this case the patient can leave the hospital in 15 minutes.
- The results of over 80 scientific studies in which there have been included about 80.000 women showed that the number of severe complications and sterility is much lower in case of manual vacuum aspiration as compared to D&C.
You should refer immediately to the physician if:
- You have severe abdominal pain
- You have a fever over 38 C or chills
- You have a severe bleeding – there are large clots of blood or you’re forced to use in one hour 2-3 large absorbents, for two consecutive hours.
- They are bad smelling or purulent vaginal eliminations
- You have severe weakness, you lost consciousness (you had fainting), or you have difficulties with breathing
- Persistent vomiting or feeling of nausea
What need to know a patient after MVA?
- After termination of pregnancy, for 2 weeks, it is normal to have pain in form of spasms in the lower abdomen and slight bleeding.
- Most women can return to normal activities virtually immediately after the MVA.
- You can become pregnant immediately after the abortion, without a menstruation before. From these reasons, if at the time pregnancy is not desired, the sexual contacts should be protected. Contraception can prevent pregnancy.
- Emergency contraception can be used for up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
- It is advisable to come back to the doctor for a routine checkup in 2-3 weeks after abortion.
- It is recommended that the patient refrain from sexual intercourse during bleeding.
- Places where the women can benefit of the chosen contraception method and how to use it correctly.
There are no contraindications to MVA up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The procedure is to be applied with caution in the following cases:
- Abnormalities of the uterus
- Disorders of blood coagulation
- Acute pelvic infections
- Severe anxiety
- Any condition that causes medical instability of the patient.
Contraception after abortion
- The usual methods of contraception can be recommended in most cases.
- Rarely, complications after abortion may limit the choice – very rarely! If this happens, the woman will be offered a temporary method of contraception.
- Natural family planning: is used only after restoration of regular cycle (at least 3 consecutive cycles), then, it is recommended the use of modern methods or abstaining from sexual contacts.