Also called “in-clinic abortions,” this is an abortion option for any length of pregnancy.

First/early second trimester: D&C’s (dilation and curettage) use gentle suction (also called vacuum aspiration) or a curette to empty the uterus.

Second trimester: D&E’s (dilation and evacuation) use suction and medical tools to empty the uterus.

Late second/third trimester: D&X’s (dilation and extraction) remove an intact fetus and placenta. D&X procedures are rare, comprising less than 1% of all U.S. abortions, and are typically reserved for cases of fetal anomaly, danger to the pregnant person’s life, or miscarriage late in pregnancy.