Medical Abortion

WHAT IS A MEDICAL ABORTION?
WHAT IS A MEDICAL ABORTION

A medical abortion is one that is brought about by taking medications that will end a pregnancy. The alternative is surgical abortion, which ends a pregnancy by emptying the uterus (or womb) with special instruments. Either of two medications, mifepristone or methotrexate, can be used for medical abortion. Each of these medications is taken together with another medication, misoprostol, to induce an abortion.

BEFORE A MEDICAL ABORTION
BEFORE A MEDICAL ABORTION

Before any abortion can be done, a medical professional must confirm that a woman is indeed pregnant and determine how long she has been pregnant. The length of a pregnancy is usually measured by the number of days that have passed since the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period (abbreviated as LMP).

Medical abortions can be provided as early as a pregnancy can be confirmed: medical abortion is not usually an option after nine weeks (or 63 days) LMP. After that, surgical abortion is your safest and best option.

THE ABORTION PILLS
THE ABORTION PILL

Mifepristone  is taken in the form of a pill. It works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to sustain pregnancy. Without this hormone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, the cervix (opening of the uterus or womb) softens, and bleeding begins.

Methotrexate has been used in the U.S. since 1953, when it was approved by the FDA to treat certain types of cancer. Since that time, medical researchers have discovered other important uses for the drug. One of these uses is to end unintended pregnancies.

Methotrexate is usually given to a pregnant woman in the form of an injection, or shot, although it also can be taken orally. It stops the ongoing implantation process that occurs during the first several weeks after conception.

Misoprostol. Within a few days after taking either mifepristone or methotrexate, a second drug, misoprostol, is taken. Misoprostol tablets (which may be placed either into the vagina, between cheek and gum, or swallowed) cause the uterus to contract and empty. This ends the pregnancy.

Mifepristone and methotrexate work in different ways, and so they will have slightly different effects on a woman’s body.

 

From http://prochoice.org/education-and-advocacy/about-abortion/abortion-facts/

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A MEDICAL ABORTION
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A MEDICAL ABORTION

Some women will have vaginal bleeding after the first drug. This bleeding may be light, or it may be like a heavy period. After taking the misoprostol, cramping and bleeding usually begin within a few hours, although it may take longer.  You will be given detailed instructions  to help you know what to expect, and when to call our hotline for possible problems.

The most common side effects of medical abortion are caused by misoprostol. In addition to cramps and bleeding, early side effects may include: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, or fatigue. If a woman experiences flu-like symptoms or abdominal pain more than 24 hours after using misoprostol, she is advised to call our hotline.

Most women have cramps for several hours, and many pass blood clots as they are aborting. Some women may see the grayish gestational sac. However, the embryo will probably not be seen among the blood clots. At 49 days LMP, the size of the embryo will be about one-fifth of an inch. In an earlier pregnancy, it might be much smaller than that. Cramps and bleeding usually begin to ease after the embryonic tissue has been passed, but bleeding may last for one to two weeks after medical abortion.

 

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING A MEDICAL ABORTION
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING A MEDICAL ABORTION

About 95-98% of women will have a successful medical abortion. Complications are rare. However, a small percentage of women (approximately 0.5-2%) will need a suction aspiration (similar to a surgical abortion) because of heavy or prolonged bleeding.  Some women also choose to have a suction aspiration because they would prefer not to wait for the medical abortion to be completed on its own.

In about 1% of cases or fewer, the medications do not work. In these cases, a woman will need a suction procedure (surgical abortion) to empty the uterus and complete the abortion.

FOLLOW UP TO A MEDICAL ABORTION
FOLLOW UP AFTER A MEDICAL ABORTION

 

Medical abortion requires a follow-up visit to the clinic or medical office. This return visit is very important to be sure that the abortion has been completed. In addition, a woman should contact her health care provider about any problems or concerns she has during the medical abortion.

 

Information from National Abortion Federation

Serving New York women for more than 40 years