| Category | Surgical |
Dilation and evacuation (D&E) are done in the second 12 weeks (second trimester) of pregnancy. It usually includes a combination of vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage (D&C), and the use of surgical instruments (such as forceps). An ultrasound is done before a D&E to determine the size of the uterus and the number of weeks of the pregnancy.
A device called a cervical (osmotic) dilator is often inserted into the cervix before the procedure to help slowly open (dilate) the cervix. Dilating the cervix reduces the risk of any injury to the cervix during the procedure.
