The second is misoprostol, which helps your uterus expel the pregnancy. According to the standard of practice, you may need to take mifepristone in the presence of a medical professional, depending on where you live. In some states, this is required by law. To find out the rules in your state, check out this list from the Guttmacher Institute. Depending on when you take it, you may already have started to experience bleeding and cramping as your body realizes the pregnancy is no longer progressing.
Torres says. While the abortion pill stops the progression of a pregnancy, the morning-after pill and other types of emergency contraception prevent ovulation from occurring, Dr. Torres explains. According to the FDA , mifepristone—when used together with misoprostol to terminate a pregnancy—is approved for use within 70 days of your last period. This is why medication abortion is only recommended in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. After that, you can have a surgical abortion to end a pregnancy.
If you want to obtain a medication abortion, ideally your first step would be to call an ob-gyn that you have an established relationship with and who you know will support you regardless of your reproductive choices, Jennifer Conti , M. Depending on your relationship with your primary care physician, you may also call them for guidance.
Unfortunately, we live in an ever-changing reproductive health landscape, and depending on where you are, the medication is not always easily accessible in clinics, Dr. But more on that later. At your appointment, the practitioner will confirm your pregnancy and probably perform an ultrasound to see how far along you are. After that, the practitioner will give you the pills you have to take and explain when and how to take them—and what to expect.
The cost of a medication abortion varies. Different clinics may have funds to help you out, Dr. And sometimes insurance does cover it. There are also cheaper or donation-based options available through telemedicine services that provide medication abortions. The thing about the internet is if you want something, you can probably find it. Torres agrees. That said, some providers are supportive of telemedicine services that help people access medication abortions in this tricky reproductive health landscape.
In recent years there has been a rise of organizations like Aid Access that help provide abortions with the aid of telemedicine. Unlike acquiring the abortion pill on your own, telemedicine services involve an evaluation with a remote doctor and professional oversight for a medical abortion at home. You have a direct line of communication with a medical professional throughout the process so you can ask questions and get support.
Conti still emphasizes that the ideal scenario is seeing a provider IRL. Preparing for an abortion will likely look different for each person, depending on their unique circumstances. How far along in my pregnancy can I use this method? Six to14 weeks since the first day of your last menstrual period. Women are often asked to wait until six weeks of pregnancy to decrease the possibility of leaving all or part of the pregnancy behind after the surgical procedure.
If performed earlier than six weeks, the procedure may be less effective. Four to nine weeks since the first day of your last menstrual period.
Medical abortion can be performed as soon as a woman knows she is pregnant. It is more effective and leads to less bleeding at earlier gestations five to seven weeks compared to eight to nine weeks.
How many clinic visits are required? Usually requires one visit -- for health education, exam and procedure. You may return to the clinic if you need follow-up care. Requires at least two visits -- one for health education, exam and medications and another to confirm that the abortion was successful. You may return to the clinic if you need further follow-up care. How long is each appointment? If you are between six and 12 weeks pregnant, the appointment will take approximately three hours.
Later abortions usually require longer or multiple visits. Two clinic visits are required; the first will last approximately one hour and the second is usually 20 to 30 minutes. Is it painful? Most women experience some cramping during or after the short procedure. Most women experience strong cramps and some women experience nausea or other side effects. What kind of anesthesia pain relief will I receive?
The doctor will apply numbing medication local anesthesia to your cervix. Anesthesia is not required. Most women are satisfied with over-the-counter pain medications like Ibuprofen. How much will I bleed? Women usually have light bleeding at home after the procedure for up to two weeks. Women usually have heavy bleeding for several hours and bleed like a period for an average of two weeks.
Home Healthy pregnancy. Abortion procedures - medication. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Medication abortion procedure What to expect during and after a medication abortion Follow-up after a medication abortion Self-care at home after a medication abortion Advantages and disadvantages of medication abortion Side effects and complications of medication abortion Other possible complications of medication abortion How will I feel emotionally after a medication abortion?
Where to get help. Medication abortion procedure Medication abortion involves using the medications mifepristone and misoprostol instead of surgery to end a pregnancy. The process of having a medication abortion generally involves the following steps: You will have a medical consultation with a doctor and often a nurse as well, which involves a clinical assessment of medical and other relevant information, and arrangements for you to have an ultrasound and blood tests.
You will be given information about the methods of abortion to help you to make an informed decision about the best method for you.
If you decide to have a medication abortion, you will be asked to sign a consent form and will be given all the relevant information about what to expect, the steps you will need to take, and about pre- and post-abortion care.
You will discuss what sort of pain relief, and any other appropriate medication you may require, and how to obtain it, in preparation for the abortion. If you have an intrauterine device, it will need to be removed before you take the first medication mifepristone.
You will take a tablet of mifepristone either at the clinic or at home and obtain the other appropriate medications. You will take a tablet of misoprostol 24 to 48 hours later. This softens the cervix and helps the uterus push out the pregnancy. This stage nearly always occurs at home. If you need to travel after taking misopristol and before the abortion is complete, it is recommended that you have a responsible adult who can drive you. The abortion is usually completed some hours later, although it may take longer.
You will usually need a day or two of rest or reduced activity. You will be encouraged to have telephone contact with the clinic you attended or another source of expert support in case you have any questions or concerns at any time during and after the procedure.
What to expect during and after a medication abortion After taking the second medication abortion tablet at home, you may experience the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache and fever pain — usually within half an hour and generally much stronger than period pain bleeding one to four hours later — heavier than a period and there may be large clots after two to six hours the bleeding usually settles to the level of your normal period bleeding is usually similar to a normal period for another three to seven days unpredictable, irregular or prolonged bleeding can last for up to four weeks after a medication abortion.
Follow-up after a medication abortion It is important to have a follow-up appointment to make sure the procedure is complete and the pregnancy has ended. Self-care at home after a medication abortion The doctor or nurse will advise you on taking care of yourself in the days following the abortion. To reduce the risk of infection during the week after having the procedure, it is recommended that you do not: insert anything into your vagina, including tampons do not use tampons until your next period have vaginal sex perform any strenuous activity, including sport or heavy physical work, until the bleeding stops go swimming or have a bath you can shower.
Advantages and disadvantages of medication abortion Advantages of medication abortion include: For around 95 to 98 per cent of pregnancies up to nine weeks, no further treatment is needed after taking the two doses of abortion medication.
Unlike surgical abortion, medication abortion does not need to take place in a hospital or day surgery unit as it does not require a surgeon, anaesthetist or other medical staff to be present during the later stage of the procedure. This makes it a suitable alternative for those living in remote areas provided they have access to emergency care.
It is a less clinical and non-surgical procedure, which some women may prefer. Some women feel it is a more natural process. It happens in a home environment. Disadvantages of medication abortion include: Medication abortions are generally more time consuming than surgical abortions, and there may be more doctor visits and tests. In a small percentage of cases the medication needs to be repeated, and sometimes a surgical procedure is needed.
Pain and bleeding generally last longer than following a surgical abortion. It is difficult to predict the time it will take for a medication abortion to complete — it may take longer than the expected four to eight hours, after taking the second medication. A separate appointment is needed if you would like an IUD inserted. Mifepristone is not suitable for some women. Mifepristone may not be recommended for you if you: have certain medical conditions such as bleeding problems, adrenal failure or high blood pressure are taking long-term steroid or blood-thinning medication have had allergic reactions to medication containing mifepristone.
Side effects and complications of medication abortion Your doctor will inform you about the risks and symptoms of possible complications and what to do if they occur.
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