What is a medical abortion?
Medical abortion, also known as a chemical abortion, is a 2–step procedure. This is used to end a pregnancy. It is usually performed during the first trimester of pregnancy. The medication is only approved for use up until 70 days after the last menstrual period.
Having a medical abortion is an essential decision with emotional and psychological consequences. If you’re considering this procedure, understand it and what it entails. There are side effects, possible risks, complications, and alternatives.
A doctor or other licensed health care provider must prescribe the medical abortion pills, and they may carry out additional steps, such as blood work or an ultrasound, before prescribing it. The abortion pill is not available over the counter. Most abortions performed at week eight or earlier in the United States are medical abortions.
How does the abortion pill work?
The abortion pill protocol uses two different drugs in the following order:
Mifepristone is the first medication. Mifepristone stops the pregnancy from growing. It blocks the body from producing the progesterone hormone necessary for a pregnancy to continue. Without progesterone, the pregnancy will end.
Misoprostol is the second medication. Misoprostol is taken 1–2 days later, induces cramping and bleeding to cause the uterus to empty.
Follow-up care
You must keep close contact with your doctor if you have any complications. Medical abortions also require a follow-up appointment to ensure that the pregnancy termination was successful.
How effective is the abortion pill?
In the first nine weeks of pregnancy, a medical abortion that consists of 200 milligrams of mifepristone and 800 micrograms of misoprostol has a 95-98 % success rate.
Is the abortion pill legal in my state?
Specific laws around abortion policy vary by state. Abortion laws vary in each state.
Risk groups for medication abortion
There are some situations when a medical abortion may not be an option:
- You have an ectopic pregnancy ( a pregnancy outside the uterus).
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD).
- You have a condition that requires long-term steroid therapy.
- You have chronic adrenal failure.
- You use blood thinners.
- You have an allergy to mifepristone or misoprostol.
- You have anemia.
Talk with your OB-GYN about your risk factors to determine the safest and most effective care for you.
How do you get the abortion medication?
Abortion medications are not available over the counter. A doctor must prescribe it. In some states, the prescription can come from another health professional.
What are the possible side effects and complications of the abortion drugs?
A medical abortion still has possible side effects that can include nausea, vomiting, cramping, chills, fever, diarrhea, dizziness, and headache and heavy bleeding.
Even when a medical abortion is effective in ending the pregnancy, certain complications can develop, including heavy bleeding or hemorrhaging, the pregnancy contents not entirely passing, and infection. There have even been deaths associated with it.
How long does recovery take with the abortion pills?
You can resume your typical activities as soon as you feel able to after a medical abortion. Recovery can be as quick as a few hours to a few days after you have taken both drugs.
You can also resume your desired contraceptive almost immediately after a medical abortion. You may even be able to start some options on the same day as the medical abortion. However, there are even many complications and side effects from all hormonal contraceptives.
After a medical abortion, you may have a higher risk of losing a future IUD. Talk with your OB-GYN about this risk if you are interested in having an IUD at a later point. There are risks of infections and permanent damage to the female reproductive organs from IUDs leading to permanent sterility.
Most women will experience their menstrual cycle returning in 4-6 weeks after a medical abortion. Because ovulation occurs before a woman’s period begins, getting pregnant before your period returns is possible.
In rare situations, there may be a risk of damage to the womb.
If some parts of the pregnancy remain inside the uterus or if the uterus becomes infected. If some parts remain that situation may require surgery and anesthesia to remove them.
How much do abortion pills cost?
Reports show that the abortion pills can cost up to $750- $900.
Are the abortion pills the same as The Morning After Pill, Plan B, or Emergency Contraception?
The abortion pill is not the same as Plan B or the “morning after” pill. Plan B is an emergency contraceptive that you can take within 72 hours after having sex without contraception. It works by blocking ovulation and fertilization to prevent pregnancy from occurring. It does not end a pregnancy. It is only effective 85% of the time.
Talk with your doctor about laws in your state regarding access to medical abortions. Discuss your risk factors with a doctor to determine if the abortion drug is the right option for you.
At the Community Women’s Centers, our dedicated and caring team staff is here to answer your questions or concerns in a confidential matter. Schedule an appointment today at one of our three centers in Bucks and Philadelphia Counties by calling 267-239-0758 or Schedule.
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