The primary difference between an early- and a late-term abortion is the gestational age of the fetus, or how far the pregnancy has progressed. Other differences include the procedures utilized, length of procedures, recovery time and cost.
Time Frame
According to abortion.com, an early-term abortion occurs during the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy, whereas a late-term abortion is performed between 13 and 24 weeks. Most states ban abortions after 24 weeks.
Early Term Procedures
In an early-term abortion, a woman can take an that causes the uterus to reject the fetus, or opt for suction aspiration, a surgical procedure in which the contents of the uterus are vacuumed out. Both procedures require medical supervision.
Procedure
The most common method for performing a late-term abortion is dilation and evacuation, or D&E, in which the cervix is dilated to make room for a larger fetus to pass through.
Recovery Time
An early-term suction abortion can be performed in five minutes or less, and it usually requires just one day of recovery. The abortion pill method requires only one day of recovery, as well. A D&E is preceded by several days of taking medicine to dilate the cervix, after which the uterus will fully recover in about two or three weeks.
Price
The price of an abortion varies with the length of pregnancy, and the further along the pregnancy is, the more expensive it will be. According to the Feminist Women's Health Center, an abortion could cost anywhere from about $300 and up.
Tags: late-term abortion, abortion performed, abortion pill, early-term abortion, Late Term