How Menstrual Extraction became the Aspiration Procedure

I am one of the world’s biggest advocates of the Aspiration procedure for ending early pregnancy and for treating miscarriage. I have been providing the Aspiration procedure for over a decade to thousands of appreciative patients (earlyabortionoptions.com). I continue to be astounded at how few people know about this simple procedure that can be completed in a regular doctor’s office in a few minutes. The procedure has an interesting history, and I thought it would be valuable to summarize this for those who have learned about this amazing device.

The Aspiration Procedure (Manual Vacuum Aspiration) is the most safe, simple, and natural procedure to end early pregnancy. The clinician inserts a thin cannula (straw) through the natural opening of the cervix. She then attaches a small handheld device that applies gentle pressure. This pressure or suction then releases the menstrual lining and early pregnancy tissue into the device. Within minutes, the pregnancy is over, and the patient can return to her normal activities. The Aspiration procedure is best used under 10 weeks of pregnancy, but can be used later depending on the clinician’s judgment.

The Aspiration Procedure is considered non surgical, because there is no scraping, so there is no entry into the uterine wall. The device simply causes a natural release of the menstrual lining, which would have shed with the menstrual period. Compared to surgical abortion, there are no major complications, because there is no scraping and no strong electric suction, and it is completed with a safe local anesthetic.

Manual Vacuum Aspiration is a modernized form of an interesting procedure called Menstrual Extraction. It has its history in the feminist “take back your health” movement. It is worth learning about the history of this remarkable procedure:

American feminists Carol Downer and Lorraine Rothman developed menstrual extraction in 1971 as a method American feminist activists Carol Downer and Lorraine Rothman developed menstrual extraction in 1971 as a method of removing a woman's menses to avoid an inconvenient period or, more importantly, to end a pregnancy at an early stage. They introduced their work to fellow activists in Los Angeles in the same year the Roe v. Wade case was in court, before the legality of abortion had been established. The two activists wanted to create a safe, simple, affordable means of ending a pregnancy at a time when U.S. law and culture severely limited women's legal and medical options concerning reproductive health.

Rothman fabricated a device called the Del-Em, constructed of easily obtainable laboratory supplies: a jar, rubber stopper, plastic tubing, a cannula, a one-way valve, and a syringe. Downer and Rothman organized self-help clinics for women and demonstrated the uses of the Del-Em. These self-help groups were formed not simply as an introduction to menstrual extraction, but as a broader forum within which women could educate themselves and each other about their bodies and reproductive health in an informal, nonmedical setting. Self-examination with a speculum was one technique employed at the meetings to demystify the female reproductive anatomy. It was within this context of underground, politically oriented sexual health education that Rothman and Downer developed and disseminated the technique of menstrual extraction.

To demonstrate menstrual extraction at self-help meetings, a

woman about to begin her period (or who suspected she was pregnant) would volunteer to undergo the procedure, while the other women would watch. The procedure involves the insertion of a flexible 4mm cannula into the os, or cervical opening. The cannula is attached to a long piece of plastic tubing connected to one of two small openings in a rubber stopper covering a jar. A second piece of plastic tubing is connected to the other hole in the stopper; a one-way valve is attached to this piece to control the flow of the contents and attached to a syringe. Once the kit has been assembled and the cannula inserted into the cervix, the woman undergoing the extraction pumps the syringe to gently suction the contents of her uterus, which are caught in the jar. Because she is holding the syringe, she can control the speed and pressure of the extraction, moving at a pace she finds comfortable. The extraction process could be finished in about five minutes
Copied from: http://everything2.com/title/menstrual%2520extraction

In the early 90’s, Manual Vacuum Aspiration entered the acceptable mainstream medical world in the United States. Jerry Edwards published a seminal paper describing a device manufactured by IPAS (http://www.ipas.org/) which had significant advantages over surgical abortion for early termination of pregnancy (Edwards, Jerry and Mitchell D. Creinin. 1997. Surgical abortion for gestations of less than 6weeks. Current Problems in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Fertility, January/February:11-19.) Edwards presented his findings at a National Abortion Federation conference.

I was at this conference, and remember my jaw dropping when I learned about this simple procedure. I had finished my residency training and was training in surgical abortions (D&C’s) at a Planned Parenthood clinic. I couldn’t believe how simple the procedure was, and how much potential it had to transform the provision of early abortion services. Years later, when I was finally able to access training in the procedure, I was able to perform my first Manual Vacuum Aspiration. I was stunned that the patient barely felt anything, sat up immediately after the procedure, and gave me a big hug! Since then I have been at the forefront of trying to make this procedure available to all women by developing the Early Options model for early abortion (earlyabortionoptions.com).

For more information, there is a reprint of an excellent paper by Carol Joffe on the history of abortion at: http://www.prochoice.org/education/resources/surg_history_overview.html

My Favorite Healthy Cookies

This recipe will impress the most avid sugar-lover, yet it only has a minimal amount of natural sweeteners. I love this recipe - a few healthy ingredients and they are irresistable. I have adapted this recipe from my absolute favorite healthy dessert book: Sweet and Natural, by Meredith McCarty.

Linzertorte Cookies
1 cup nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans or cashews) coarsely ground
1 cup oatmeal, coursely ground
1 cup whole wheat flour or barley flour (or for gluten free: millet and chestnut flours)
1/2 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
sea salt to taste
1/2 cup walnut (or light vegetable) oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup fruit-sweetened jam

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or brush with oil.
2) Grind the nuts and oatmeal (can be done together).
3) Mix dry ingredients together. Mix wet ingredients together. Add wet to dry and whisk.
4) Roll into balls, and press thumb into the middle to form an indentation.
5) Fill indentations with jam. These cookies are also great plain.
6) Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Make your own Plan B

What is Emergency Contraception?
If you make a mistake and have unprotected sex, you can still avoid getting pregnant. You must take these pills within 5 days of the incident. The sooner you take it the better it works. You can now get Plan B without a prescription from a pharmacy in the United States. However, it can be expensive. Here are ways you can get inexpensive Plan B. See more information at EarlyAbortionOptions.com

1) Discounted Plan B
If you live in New York City, you can get Plan B for $25. Go to EarlyAbortionOptions.com to find an Early Options center. You can get discounted Plan B at their convenient offices in Manhattan and in Brooklyn. Also, if the Plan B doesn't work, Early Options has the most advanced medical services to end early pregnancy.

2) Do you know you can make your own Plan B?
If you have an extra pack of birth control pills, you can make your own Plan B. Below are instructions on how to make it yourself.

Emergency Contraception in United States of America
Dedicated Products / Progestin Only

Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex:
Plan B (available over the counter)
More information: http://www.go2planb.com/

Dedicated Products / Progestin-Estrogen Combined
Take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later:
Alesse

Oral Contraceptives used for EC / Progestin-Estrogen Combined
Note: in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used
Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later:
Ogestrel
Ovral

Take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later:
Cryselle
Jolessa
Levlen
Levora
Lo/Ovral
Low-Ogestrel
Nordette
Portia
Quasense
Seasonale
Seasonique

Take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later:
Aviane
Lessina
Levlite
Lutera

Take 6 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 6 more pills 12 hours later:
Lybrel

Our country-by-country information comes primarily from the 2002 Directory of Hormonal Contraceptives, published by International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). We have supplemented their list with reports from the field and welcome additions and/or corrections.
This information was reproduced from: http://ec.princeton.edu/countryquery.asp

Homeopathic Prevention of Swine Flu

What Not to do: (see right)

What to do:

There are a few different methods of using homeopathy for prophylaxis. My preferred choice is to take homeopathic Gelsemium 12c or 30c once weekly during an epidemic. The next step would be if you find that you've been exposed, or being on an airplane these days might qualify for a remedy boost, you take a single dose of homeopathic Arsenicum 30c. Arsenicum has been coming up as the remedy of choice for this recent flu, matches the symptoms well and can be used preventatively.

Some homeopaths are recommending Oscillococcinum, but I prefer the specific remedies listed above. Remember, homeopathic remedies are extremely dilute, and do no harm.
Please refer to this website for more information on specific remedies:http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/Swine-flu-symptoms-treatment.aspThe page also tells of the 1918 pandemic, and how homeopathy helped so many.
Here is another link for the National Center For Homeopathy Flu Forum:http://nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/services/fluforum/index.jsp

There is a list of helpful articles on the flu there. It's important to note that homeopathic remedies are chosen based on the symptom picture, not the specific virus or bacteria or diagnosis,so it allows more flexibility in prescribing than the drug companies have with their anti-virals, that prove ineffective if the strain is drug resistant.

Posted by Rebekah Azarelli

http://www.greenewellnessco-op.com/

Early Abortion Options: Safe & Simple Aspiration Procedure

The Aspiration Procedure is the most safe, simple, and natural way to end early pregnancy. Unfortunately, most women have never heard of it. This gentle non surgical procedure is completed in less than 5 minutes in a private examination room. There is immediate recovery. Other names for the Aspiration Procedure are: Manual Vacuum Aspiration, "mini-vac," and Menstrual Extraction. The Aspiration Procedure was developed in the 1970's.

What is it? The Aspiration Procedure is handheld device that applies gentle pressure to "bring down" the early pregnancy tissue. The doctor inserts a speculum (like a pap smear). She numbs the cervix with lidocaine. She inserts a thin cannula (like a straw) through the natural opening of the cervix. She attaches the Aspiration device which provides gentle suction. The menstrual lining and early pregnancy tissue naturally detaches from the uterine wall, and into the device. The uterus contracts in response to the procedure, so there is some natural healthy period-like cramping that resolves within a few minutes. There are no major complications because there is no scraping, no electric suction, and no general anesthesia. Within 10 minutes of starting the procedure, you feel completely better and are able to resume your normal activities.

Ideally, this procedure should be offered in a private, discreet doctor's office. You should have a scheduled, one hour appointment. You should be able to eat and drink normally before and after your visit. You should be in a dedicated examination room. You should be able to bring a companion to be with you the entire visit. You should be able to meet with your doctor and discuss your options.

Sound too easy? Perhaps that's the issue. This simple procedure has the potential to take all of the punitiveness and politics out of ending early pregnancy.

Where do you get it? The Aspiration Procedure is endorsed by the World Health Organization as the safest early abortion method, yet it is extremely difficult to find a doctor who offers it. If you can get to New York City to an Early Options medical office (earlyabortionoptions.com) it is certainly worth your trip. At Early Options you are guaranteed to have a woman doctor, a scheduled appointment, a private examination room, and your companion is welcome to stay with you the entire visit. There are a few other family doctors that offer the Aspiration Procedure in the United States (earlyabortion.com).

Beware of large abortion clinics that say they offer the Aspiration Procedure. Make sure to ask:

• Does the doctor scrape the uterus? (they should not).
• Is the procedure offered in a private examination room? (it should not be in an operating room)
• Am I taken to a recovery area? (this should not be necessary)
• Do I have an individual appointment or are other women scheduled at the same time?
• Can I eat and drink before my visit? (you should be able to)
• Can my companion accompany me for the entire visit? (they should be able to)
• How long will I be in the clinic? (should be less than 2 hours).

The Aspiration Procedure has the potential to transform early abortion into mainstream medical care. Doctors could learn to provide these services as part of their residency training. Women could access early abortion services at their family doctor's or gynecologist's office. Women and doctors who access or provide abortion services could no longer be targeted. More women need to know and advocate for the development of this procedure.

To learn more:

United States: EarlyAbortionOptions.com

International: Ipas.org