Therapeutic abortion; Elective abortion

Early pregnancy symptoms include:

• Breast tenderness
• Breast swelling
• Discoloration of breast areola
• Nausea
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Missed periods

A pelvic examination is performed to confirm pregnancy and estimate the weeks of gestation. A serum HCG blood test may be performed to confirm pregnancy. A vaginal or abdominal ultrasound may be used to determine gestational age and location.

Images

First trimester of pregnancy

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

Early weeks of pregnancy

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Abortion Overview

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Abortion Treatment

Review Date: 09/19/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)