Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is the dilation of the cervix and surgical evacuation of the uterus (potentially including the fetus, placenta and other tissue) after the first trimester of pregnancy. It is a method of abortion as well as a common procedure used after miscarriage to remove all pregnancy tissue. In various health care centers it may be called by different names: * D&E (Dilation and evacuation) * ERPOC (Evacuation of Retained Products of Conception) * TOP or STOP ((Surgical) Termination Of Pregnancy)