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MEDICAL ABORTION PROCEDURES (FAQ)

TREASURE WOMEN'S CLINIC

Abortion pills, sometimes known as “medical abortion,” are a non-invasive alternative to surgical abortion for women who have carefully considered all of their options and have concluded that this is the best course of action for them.

In the first nine weeks of pregnancy, medication abortion may be used instead of surgical abortion. Mifepristone and misoprostol are two drugs used in medical abortions.

Mifepristone (formerly RU486) is a pill that is taken orally. It does this by preventing the production of progesterone, a hormone necessary for pregnancy to continue.

Misoprostol is also used as an oral medication. The pregnancy is expelled when the cervix dilates and the uterus contracts.

Abortion pills are not right for everyone. If you have a history of allergic reactions, have a medical condition, or use certain medications (including blood thinners or steroids), it may not be suggested.

What is medication abortion?

Abortion pills, often known as medicinal abortion, are a non-invasive substitute for traditional abortion procedures. This method of terminating a pregnancy may be used as early as week 5 of pregnancy.

Abortion pills, also known as mifepristone and misoprostol, are used to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.

Abortion pills are a safe and painless technique to stop a pregnancy. Its efficacy is close to 99%.

Only 2–5% of women who use abortion pills ultimately end up requiring further care.

Relax as much as you can on the day of your abortion. While some people may be able to return to their normal activities the next day, others may require more time. For a few days, you may experience pain similar to that of a heavy period.

How medication abortion works

Medical abortion is an alternative to surgical abortion that employs the use of the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol. As soon as a pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound, the procedure may be performed.

Abortions with medication are legal in Australia up to week 9 of pregnancy.

High quantities of the hormone progesterone are required for a pregnancy to progress. Mifepristone (formerly referred to as RU486) works by inhibiting progesterone’s effects. In order to evacuate the pregnancy, misoprostol softens the cervix and causes contractions in the uterus.

What to expect during an abortion medication procedure

Steps often taken during a medicated abortion include:

Take one mifepristone pill and then continue with your daily routine.
Three days to two days later, take a misoprostol pill. This makes it easier for the uterus to expel the baby by relaxing the cervix.
For the following 6-10 hours, stay at home and make other plans for the people in your care (such as a school pick-up).
If you think you may require special medical attention, have a responsible adult remain with you and take you to the nearest clinic or hospital.
Some hours later, or maybe longer, the abortion will be finished.
Two or three days of inactivity or relaxation.
If you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after the treatment, don’t hesitate to call the clinic you went to or seek out alternative professional help.

Preparing for your abortion appointments with medicine

Medication abortion may be completed in anywhere from one to three visits, depending on the clinic you go to and whether or not some diagnostics (such an ultrasound and blood tests) are performed on the spot or need additional appointments.

Abortion drugs and diagnostic testing may be provided in a single visit at certain clinics.

Before beginning the first drug (mifepristone), you will need to have any intrauterine devices (IUDs) removed.

A physician or physician’s assistant (PA) and nurse will examine you and will typically:

Examine your pregnancy’s development by having an ultrasound, as well as urine and blood tests, performed. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing may be available at certain clinics.

What happens after taking abortion medications?

Possible side effects of a second abortion pill taken at home include:

bleeding begins one to four hours after the onset of the aforementioned symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, and fever) and is heavier than a period and may contain large clots; after two to six hours, bleeding usually settles to the level of your normal period.
Normal period-like bleeding continues for another 3–7 days following a medication abortion, although abnormally heavy or protracted bleeding may persist for up to 4 weeks.

Advantages and disadvantages of medication abortion

Abortion pills may not be safe or effective for all women. It’s crucial to talk to someone you trust if you’re worried about anything. For example, a spouse, close friend, relative, teacher, guidance counsellor, or doctor.

The benefits of abortion pills include:

Up to 9 weeks into a pregnancy, it has a 95-99% success rate and doesn’t need any more therapy.
Doesn’t need to be done under general anaesthesia or in a hospital, and you won’t need a surgeon. As long as they have access to emergency treatment, it’s a viable option for those living in outlying places.
It is a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgical methods.
There are others who see this as the most organic route.
It’s a domestic incident.
The time options are frequently more flexible.
The risks of abortion pills include:

tend to take longer than surgical abortions because they need more time spent on medical care.
Some women may need a second round of medication or a surgical abortion if the first round fails.
Most women have prolonged pain and bleeding after medical abortions.
Medication abortions may take longer than the typical 3–10 hours after taking the second pill, making its completion time unpredictable.
If you want an IUD implanted after having an abortion, you will need to schedule a second visit.

Medication abortion is not suitable for everyone

Abortion pills shouldn’t necessarily be used if:

have a history of bleeding, adrenal failure, or high blood pressure, among other issues
utilize steroids or blood thinners regularly have had adverse responses to the drugs.

Visit our page Treasure Women’s Clinic for more information about where to find an abortion provider.

Treatment Options: Medical vs. Surgical

Abortion pills are a safe and effective way to terminate a pregnancy in its early stages. They are the least expensive alternative for ladies who cannot afford surgical methods. The pill is widely used to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Many years of testing have shown its safety, but that hasn’t stopped people from wondering how it does what it does. Ref

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