Possible signs and complications after vacuum abortion

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Bui Minh Phuc - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Vacuum aspiration is a highly safe abortion method compared to many other methods of abortion with a fetus under 12 weeks of age. However, vacuum aspiration can still have potential complications, it is necessary to recognize early signs of abnormalities if encountered and consult a doctor.

Vacuum aspiration is performed for women who need an abortion under 12 weeks of age (from the first day of the last menstrual period).
In general, vacuum aspiration is a highly safe, reliable method of using a vacuum device to terminate a pregnancy. However, to ensure safety, vacuum suction needs to be performed by medical staff who are trained and have enough skills to perform the procedure.
Vacuum aspiration has an abortion efficiency of over 98%, with high safety, so it is now applied in many hospitals and clinics. The procedure goes like this:
The medical staff conducts a pelvic exam. The medical staff asks a number of health questions, explains the procedure, safety and other issues of the procedure, and advises on birth control methods. Need to sign a commitment to abortion, then take painkillers. During the procedure, the medical staff will insert the speculum into the vagina (which can make the patient feel a little tight where the speculum is placed). The medical staff will numb the cervix (the patient may feel a burning sensation in the area where the anesthetic is injected). Medical staff use a vacuum device to suck the fetus. In terms of consciousness, the patient will be awake during the procedure and will feel only slight pain due to the contraction of the uterus. Pain from uterine contractions will increase as the procedure nears its end but should subside as soon as the procedure is complete. The vacuum aspiration procedure will take about 5-10 minutes. After the vacuum aspiration procedure, the medical staff will regularly monitor the patient's recovery within 30 minutes, if there are no problems, then the patient can go home.

Typically, a person having a vacuum aspiration procedure will experience bleeding and pain from uterine contractions for a few days after the procedure. This symptom may resemble a normal period. If you see excessive bleeding with other abnormalities, you should contact a medical facility.
After the abortion by vacuum suction, the patient will be prescribed medication according to the prescription and as directed by the medical staff. Use tampons during bleeding until it stops, and change it as often as your period. After the abortion, you can take a normal bath, not necessarily abstain from any food, but you should have adequate nutrition, avoid heavy labor, have a reasonable rest, and feel comfortable.

Although the success rate is high, there are still cases of failed vacuum aspiration, missed suction and need to perform aspiration again.
Regarding complications, complications, vacuum aspiration is a much safer abortion procedure than spoon abortion, but there is still a small rate of complications.
Possible complications include:
Infection, this time requires more antibiotics Excessive bleeding causing weakness or dizziness, this complication very rarely requires blood transfusion, usually just rest and use internal medicine use. Injury to the cervix, this time requires surgical intervention to handle. Leftover vegetables, pregnant. Uterine perforation Adhesions to the uterine cavity

There are very few cases that after vacuum aspiration, the medical staff did not see any complications, but when they returned home, complications appeared. However, special attention should be paid to return to the doctor if you see the following signs:
Abdominal pain is severe and increasing. Bleeding is heavy or lasts for more than a week with no less bleeding. Fever or chills. Vaginal discharge or blood has an unpleasant odor. After vacuum aspiration, there may be bleeding that lasts for several weeks, but the amount of blood must gradually decrease in volume. The phenomenon of dull pain in the lower abdomen and lower back is due to the fact that after the abortion, the uterus gradually shrinks back to its normal size, and at the same time expels the remaining blood in the uterine cavity. The pain depends on the location of each person, but if the pain is too much to cause discomfort, you should see a doctor immediately.

Usually, the doctor will ask the patient to have a follow-up visit 2 weeks after vacuum suction to check again.
Vacuum abortion is a safe abortion method with few complications that women should choose to perform. If you see signs of complications after vacuum abortion, women should return to the doctor soon to be considered, find the cause and solve.