MVA Info
Manual Vacuum Aspiration
Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) can play a critical role in meeting the
need for early abortion services in the United States. While it is not a new
technology, its resurgence in the United States is due to better ultrasound
imaging and more sensitive pregnancy tests which can detect pregnancy at
an earlier stage.
What is Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)?
MVA is performed with the use of a handheld syringe as a source of suction
for removing uterine contents. The procedure time is 5–15 minutes and is
performed in settings such as a doctor's office, clinic or emergency room. A
patient typically leaves a doctor's office or a clinic within two hours.
Typically, cervical anesthesia is used in combination with orally
administered ibuprofen.
When can MVA be used to terminate a pregnancy?
It can be used to induce abortion in women as early as three weeks after
the beginning of her last menstrual cycle and up to 12 weeks gestation.
MVA is an important tool for providing emergency care for women with
incomplete induced or spontaneous abortions.
How effective is MVA at terminating pregnancy?
MVA successfully ends first trimester pregnancies 99.5% of the time and
carries a minor complication rate of 0.01%. For the 0.5% times the
procedure fails, it is repeated.
Who can offer MVA?
Qualified health care providers, including physicians and mid-level providers
can offer MVA to their patients. For physicians who currently only provide surgical abortions, they can conveniently use MVA for back up in the office,
clinic or emergency room where they practice.
What are advantages to using MVA?
Compared with a medical abortion, MVA reported success rates are higher,
the procedure is shorter and completed in a predictable period, fewer office
visits are needed, and the cost is lower. MVA is quieter than electric suction
techniques. Also, by using a gentler, handheld syringe, the gestational sac
comes out intact so pregnancy termination can be confirmed.
What are advantages to using MVA?
Compared with a medical abortion, MVA reported success rates are higher,
the procedure is shorter and completed in a predictable period, fewer office
visits are needed, and the cost is lower. MVA is quieter than electric suction
techniques. Also, by using a gentler, handheld syringe, the gestational sac
comes out intact so pregnancy termination can be confirmed.
What are the side effects of MVA?
Common side effects include abdominal cramping or pain and bleeding.
Major complications are very rare, but can include uterine or cervical
perforation, pelvic infection and excess bleeding.
More information
- Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
- Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA)
A Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians
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