IPPF Video: How does a surgical abortion work?

Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is the recommended method of surgical abortion up to 14 weeks of pregnancy and offers a safe, quick and highly effective way to end a pregnancy - but how does it work?

IPPF have developed a short video to explain the process:

As the video shares, manual vacuum aspiration is effective 95% to 99% of the time, when completed by a trained medical professional.

The video also explains how long the procedure and recover usually take and how the potential pain associated with the procedure can be managed.

The video also covers the common side effects to be expected; what to expect in the weeks after a surgical abortion; when periods are likely to return and how soon after a surgical abortion someone can have sex.

The video is currently available in English, French, and Spanish.