Make an Appointment

714-456-7188

UCI Health will see you now: Welcome to our new co-workers and patients from Fountain Valley, Lakewood, Los Alamitos and Placentia Linda! 

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.

For more information, please call 714-456-8179. To make an appointment, call 714-456-7188.
Make an Appointment

714-456-7188

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