Abortion method

Timing

Method/ Name

Other details

Medical /
abortion pills

0-10+ weeks

(1^st Trimester)

Two types of pills:

• Mifepristone (one tablet)
• Misoprostol (four to eight tablets)

• Mifepristone (also known as Mifegynae, Mifeprex, or RU-486)
• Misoprostol (also known as Cytotec or Misodel)

Surgical 
procedures

5 - 14+ weeks

(1^st Trimester)

Pills + anaesthetic + suction
(vacuum aspiration)

  Also known as:

• Suction or
• Aspiration D&C (Dilation & Curettage)

14 - 22 weeks

(2^nd Trimester)

Pills + anaesthetic + suction
(dilation and evacuation (D&E))

  Uses forceps and suction

23+ weeks

(3^rd Trimester)

Pills + anaesthetic + lethal injection +
Induced/ Labour Induction + D&E

  Uses lethal injection and induced labour
  (plus D&E if required)