This information is for persons having a surgical termination of pregnancy (ToP). In this information you will be informed of the surgical procedure itself, what to expect afterwards and how to contact us.
What is the procedure for surgical ToP?
The surgical treatment is performed while you are under full anesthesia. The pregnancy tissue is removed from the uterus with a suction device. At the end of the procedure we will do a ultrasound scan to make sure the uterus is empty. The procedure takes 5 to 10 minutes. After the procedure you can expect to feel tired, have pain that is comparable to period pain, and light bleeding. Expect to be admitted to the hospital 4 to 6 hours in total.
After being in full anesthesia you are not allowed to drive a car. You need to be monitored by an adult until the next morning.
Before the procedure
Leave wristwatches, jewelry and piercings at home. Don’t wear nail polish, body lotion or makeup. You can bring glasses, but remove your contact lenses. Wear loose-fitting clothes. Bring a book or something else while you wait for the surgery.
Fasting before surgery
Your muscles will be relaxed during surgery. If your stomach is not empty during the surgery, there is a risk of food ending up in your lungs. This can cause serious complications.
It is important that you are fasting before surgery. If you do not fast, we are forced to cancel your surgery on the date scheduled.
Rules for fasting
- You can eat until 6 hours before you are scheduled to be at the hospital.
- When there is less than 6 hours to the procedure you cannot eat, use chewing gum, breath mints or anything else. You cannot drink milk or juice.
- You are allowed to drink water, water with added cordial, coffee and tea without milk until two hours before you arrive at the hospital.
What are the risks of the surgical treatment?
The risk of a pelvic infection after the procedure is around 1%. Women who previously have had pelvic infections are at an increased risk. In rare cases, the uterus is not completely emptied of the pregnancy tissue, and it can be necessary to repeat the procedure. A very rare complication is a small perforation of the uterus. This sometimes means that you must stay at our department overnight for observation.
Can I expect complications?
The majority of surgical ToP’s have no complications. A rare complication is infection of the uterus, which is treated with antibiotics.
To reduce the risk of infection during the period of bleeding, we recommend:
- Avoiding bathtubs, swimming pools and swimming in the sea
- Avoiding having sexual intercourse without using a condom
- Using a menstrual pad instead of a tampon or menstrual cup
If your bloodtype is rhesus negative
If the ToP takes place after 12 weeks of pregnancy and your bloodtype is rhesus negative, you will need an injection. The injection is given to prevent the development of rhesus antibodies. Rhesus antibodies can have implications for a future pregnancy, if the injection is not given.
When can I conceive again?
Before your first menstrual period after you ToP, you will ovulate and can thus become pregnant again. It is therefore important that you have a plan for future contraception. Combined oral contraceptives (“The pill”) or progestin-only oral contraceptives should be started on the day of your termination. An IUD or implant can be inserted in relation to your surgery. In that case, you need to bring it on the day. We can prescribe all types of contraception in the outpatient clinic.
Contact us within the first 72 hours if you experience:
- Heavy bleeding (more than 2-3 filled menstrual pads every hour)
- Fever (temperature above 38 ⁰C / 100,4 ⁰F)
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Severe pain
- If you are feeling very unwell
Weekdays 8:00 to 15:00: Call Gynækologisk Ambulatorium 537 at telephone 38 62 21 42.
Weekdays 15:00 to 8:00, weekends and holidays: Gynækologisk Akutklinik 414 at telephone 38 62 31 91.
If you develop the above stated symptoms after 72 hours you must call your general practitioner or 1813.