Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

About 10% of all abortions are performed in the second trimester (between 12 and 24 weeks).

The most common method is the D&E procedure. Often this is a two day procedure.

On the first day, laminaria is inserted into the cervix. These long thin rods of seaweed expand with the natural body fluids and gently dilate the cervix.

The following day the woman returns for the actual abortion. The cervix is further dilated using instruments, and long tong-like instruments are inserted in the uterus to dismember the child and remove the body parts. The head is crushed and removed. The remaining parts are scraped from the body with a curette - a long steel instrument with sharp grooves.

Complications: Perforations and tears are common complications of this procedures, as well as incomplete procedures.

Other Second Trimester Abortions

Other second trimester methods such as the prostaglandin abortion and saline abortion are almost never done anymore because of the risk of live births and other major complications.

Prostaglandin

Prostaglandin are hormones needed for birth. Injecting them into the amniotic sac induces intense labor and the premature birth of a child usually too young to survive. Saline is sometimes injected first to kill the baby before delivery and make the procedure less distressful for the mother and abortion staff.

Saline

A needle is inserted through the abdominal wall, through the uterine wall and into the amniotic sac. Some of the amniotic fluid is removed and replaced with a concentrated salt solution. The unborn child breathes in and swallows the salt and is poisoned by it. The mother goes into labor and a dead baby is delivered 24 to 48 hours later.

Alan Guttmacher Institute (research arm of Planned Parenthood):
Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States

American Pregnancy Association: Surgical Abortion Procedures

Planned Parenthood: Abortion Procedures