Suction in pregnancy can refer to a procedure called suction curettage (or vacuum aspiration) used to terminate a pregnancy. According to the provided reference, this method involves removing the pregnancy by gentle suction.
Suction Curettage Explained
Here's a breakdown of suction curettage:
- What it is: A procedure to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus using suction.
- When it's used: Typically performed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
- How it's done: A thin tube is inserted into the uterus, and gentle suction is applied to remove the pregnancy tissue.
- Anesthesia: Suction curettage is performed under anesthesia. Options include:
- Local anesthetic
- Light anesthetic (light sedation, where you sleep briefly)
In Summary
Therefore, "suction" in the context of pregnancy often refers to suction curettage, a medical procedure used to terminate a pregnancy by gently removing the pregnancy tissue using suction.