An Introduction to Vacuum Aspiration
season 1, episode 2
December 3, 2020
Illustration by Carla Camoglio
On this episode, Beth gives us an introduction on the vacuum aspiration method, also known as in-clinic abortions or procedural abortions. Beth tells us how vacuum aspiration abortions are performed, and shares her experiences of working in an abortion clinic. We talk about the discourse around ‘safe’ and ‘legal’ abortion, and talk about privilege and how certain people will always be able to access abortion while others wont, regardless of the legal situation.
Beth Falkner (she/her) has 16 years of experience working in health advocacy, including six years focused on global medical and reproductive healthcare provision and advocacy. Drawing on her studies and work in Argentina, Belize, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, Beth has a deep, abiding passion for cultivating sustainable changes in advancing access to comprehensive health for all people, particularly those who have been historically and strategically underserved. Most recently, Beth was the Co-Director/Program Manager for Global Doctors for Choice. Previously, she was the Executive Director of SpineHope, which provided pediatric spine surgeries to children who would otherwise not receive that care. Beth holds a B.A. double major in psychology and intercultural communications from Southwestern University and a M.A. in sustainable international development from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.
**edit: after the release of this episode I learnt that using the phrase 'surgical abortion' to describe the vacuum aspiration method is misleading and inaccurate, because the procedure isn't a surgery and doesn't involve any cutting or suturing. In this episode we use the phrase surgical abortion, but from now on the podcast uses procedural abortion or in-clinic abortion to refer to abortions conducted through vacuum aspiration. To learn more, here's a note on language written by Rewire News Group.
Resources:
Euki app: an app that provides accurate, complete, and unbiased information about sexual and reproductive health (SRH)
World Health Organisation (WHO) Abortion Factsheet
Ibis Reproductive Health: On later abortions
Guttmacher Institute: Later Abortions
2+ Abortions: a resource that aims to destigmatise having more than one abortion
