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Abortion - elective or therapeutic - Symptom

Alternative Names

Therapeutic abortion; Elective abortion

Symptoms:

Early pregnancy symptoms include:

Breast tenderness
Breast swelling
Discoloration of breast areola
Nausea
Light-headedness or dizziness
Missed periods

Signs and tests:

A pelvic examination is performed to confirm pregnancy and estimate the weeks of gestation. A serum HCG blood test may be performed to confirm pregnancy. A vaginal or abdominal ultrasound may be used to determine gestational age and location.

First trimester of pregnancy

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

Early weeks of pregnancy

Reviewed last on: 9/19/2006
Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Finer LB, Henshaw SK. Disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2006 Jun;38(2):90-6.

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