Understanding Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is a procedure to end a pregnancy (abortion) in the second trimester. The second trimester is weeks 14 to 27 of pregnancy. Why D&E is done D&E may be done for many reasons. It may be done if the baby in the womb has severe health problems. It may be done if the mother has severe health problems. It may be done in cases where an abortion was not possible earlier in the pregnancy. Or it may be done to fully remove tissue in the uterus after a miscarriage. A D&E removes the placenta and fetal tissue. It also clears some of the lining of the uterus. Risks of D&E All procedures have risks. The risks of D&E include: Injury to the cervix Infection Severe bleeding A hole in the uterus (perforation) Tearing of the uterus (rupture) Not all pregnancy tissue is removed from the uterus Need for a surgery to repair the cervix or uterus Your own risks may vary based on your age, the week of pregnancy, and your overall health. Ask your healthcare provider which risks appl...