Women's Options Center: Termination Approaches
There are two methods for ending a pregnancy for patients with a fetal anomaly or fetal demise:
- Induction of labor
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
When considering which option is best for you and your family, here is a list of differences to help you make a decision:
| Induction of labor | Surgical D&E | |
| Length of hospital time | 12 hours to 2 days | 1 day |
| Predictability | Less predictable process | More predictable process |
| Surgery | In 20% of cases, surgery needed to remove placenta |
Yes |
| Safety | Safe | Possibly safer |
| Location | Labor & Delivery unit | Operating room |
| Pain control | Patient choice (IV, by mouth, epidural) | Medications by mouth for dilation, asleep with anesthesia for procedure |
| Footprints | Available | Available |
| Chromosomes | Available | Available |
| Autopsy | Available | Not available |
| Remains | MUST choose a funeral home for burial or cremation |
Burial isn't an option. Can choose funeral home to receive the ashes or hospital will take care of the remains, but you would not receive the ashes. |
| Time at hospital | 1 to 2 days | 6 to 8 hours |
| Contact with baby | As much or as little as desired | Not available |
| Recovery | 1 to 3 weeks | A few days to a week |
| Limitations | Pelvic rest for 2 weeks | Pelvic rest for 2 weeks |
Some patients have problems with their placenta or their health that may make one option much safer than the other. Your doctor will discuss this with you at your visit to ensure that we are keeping you as safe as possible.