A Comparison of RU-486 to Surgical Abortion

 

RU-486
Vacuum Aspiration
Non-invasive procedure that avoids damage to cervix and uterus which can cause infection
Involves an invasive surgical procedure that can cause the uterus to rupture and infection to occur
Women who are heavy smokers, have heart problems, or high blood pressure should not use  No such health limitations
95% Success Rate 
99% Success Rate
   
1 death in 500,000 abortions 1 death in 200,000 abortions
Taken in pill form and resembles a 
natural miscarriage
Surgical Procedure
   
Procedure lasts 24 hours (90% of the time) 
and requires 2 trips to a doctor 
Procedure takes 10-15 minutes and requires one visit to the doctor
   
Patient may see blood clots and pregnancy tissue and experience profuse bleeding  during the abortion
Patients observe no loss of tissue and can be sedated with anesthesia during the abortion
   
Available up to 7 weeks after conception 
Can be used up to 12 weeks after conception
   
Possible abdominal pain, cramping, bleeding, and loss of sleep for up to 2 weeks 
Possible abdominal pain and bleeding up to 2 weeks after the procedure
   
Short term emotional difficulties approximately 2-3 weeks
Short term emotional difficulties approximately 2-3 weeks
   
Offers more privacy than a surgical abortion 
Offers less privacy than aborting at home
**Note: Vacuum aspirations are the most common form of early (first trimester) surgical abortions.

    From the above table it can clearly be seen that medical abortions using RU-486 are comparable to surgical abortions in terms of effectiveness.  The two methods are also comparable in terms of side effects and emotional difficulties.  Both methods offer advantages the other cannot offer.  RU-486 is a non-invasive procedure that can be taken in the privacy of a woman's home, but the resulting abortion takes longer than a surgical abortion and requires at least two visits to the doctor.  Both forms of abortion cause the woman some type of emotional suffering, but that is to be expected.  Lastly, each method has an optimum time period for use.  RU-486 is the only form of abortion that can be used very early in pregnancy, but only up to seven weeks after conception.  Vacuum aspirations on the other hand, cannot be used as early as RU-486, but can be used up to 12 weeks after conception.
    For a woman that decides an abortion is her best choice, it is a personal decision as to what method is preferred depending on how many weeks after conception the abortion is to take place.

References:
www.religioustolerance.org/aboru486.htm
pages.map.com/lroberge/ru486.htm
www.cbctrust.com/RU486.96.html
www.prolife.com
www.laurushealth.com/Library/HealthGuide/IllnessConditions/topic.asp?hwid=tw1078
 
 


Introduction, History and Development, Structure and Function,
Dosage and Administration, Moral and Religious Issues, Conclusion