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July 18, 2024 
Tom - What is a Medical Abortion?
- Can I Get a Medical Abortion?
- Medical Abortion Process: What to Expect
- You Will be Prescribed Medication
- Taking the Medication
- Symptoms You May Experience
- Attending Your Follow-up Appointment
- What Happens if a Medical Abortion Fails?
- How Long Does a Medical Abortion Take?
- What Does Medical Abortion Pain Feel Like?
- How Long Does Recovery Take?
- Emotional Recovery from Abortion
- What are the Benefits of a Medical Abortion?
- What are the Risks of a Medical Abortion?
- Final Words
If you are considering a medical abortion and you’d like to know more about the process and what to expect, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your medical pregnancy termination.
What is a Medical Abortion?
A medical abortion is a type of pregnancy termination procedure that uses prescription strength pills to end a pregnancy in its earliest stages. Despite its name, a medical abortion is a non-surgical way to end a pregnancy and is a popular choice for women who are still in their first trimester.
A medical abortion involves taking two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, usually 24 hours apart, Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
Mifepristone: the job of mifepristone is to stop your body from making more progesterone (the hormone needed to support a viable pregnancy).
Misoprostol: the job of misoprostol is to cause your body to cramp and bleed in order to abort the pregnancy and empty your womb.
If your pregnancy has progressed past the first trimester, it’s unlikely you will be permitted a medical abortion. However, your provider will be available to discuss alternate abortion procedure options with you.
Can I Get a Medical Abortion?
You will be eligible for a medical abortion up to 24 weeks pregnant. Prior to your abortion, a scan will be carried out to confirm how far along you are and to ensure the proposed abortion procedure is right for your gestation and personal situation.
You will be unable to get a medical abortion if you:
- Are too far along in your pregnancy
- Have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of your uterus)
- Are allergic to any of the medications used during the procedure
- Have an IUD (intrauterine device)
- Have a blood clotting disorder, chronic adrenal failure, or severe anaemia.
If you are still unsure whether a medical abortion is suitable for you, we encourage you to get in touch with a member of our team who will be glad to help.
Medical Abortion Process: What to Expect
A medical abortion can be carried out in the comfort of your own home, which is why it’s the preference for many women having an abortion.
You Will be Prescribed Medication
The medicines you are prescribed for the abortion will be given to you by your doctor or hospital clinic. They must be taken 1 to 2 days apart and they should cause the pregnancy to pass naturally through the vagina. This should happen within a few hours of taking the second pill.
There is no need to undergo any surgery and no requirement for an anaesthetic. Most women can partake in the abortion procedure with the support of a loved one, painkillers, and a hot water bottle.
Taking the Medication
The first tablet you are to take is the medicine called mifepristone. This pill helps prepare your body for the second pill. If you are less than 10 weeks pregnant, you can take this pill in the comfort of your own home. Otherwise, for women over 10 weeks pregnant, you will need to take the pill in the hospital just so that you can be monitored.
1 to 2 days later you will need to take the second medication. This pill is called misoprostol and it is a tablet you put under your tongue or inside your vagina. Again, if you are less than 10 weeks pregnant you can take this medicine at home. If you are over 10 weeks pregnant, you will be required to take this tablet in the hospital or clinic.
Symptoms You May Experience
Within 4 to 6 hours you should experience cramps and bleeding. This is the womb breaking down and the body releasing the pregnancy through the vagina. Some women may require additional doses of misoprostol to help the pregnancy pass naturally.
Symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Cramping and bleeding 1-4 hours after taking the second pill
- Passing clots, heavy bleeding, and heavy cramping over the next few hours
- Chills and a low-grade fever
- Exhaustion
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
The heavy bleeding will take a couple of days to settle. After which, you may experience a period for 2-3 weeks. Your period should get lighter after a week or so.
Top tip: if you experience excessive bleeding or bleeding for more than 3 weeks, it’s important to seek advice from your doctor.
Attending Your Follow-up Appointment
Once you have completed the abortion procedure, you will need to attend a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider. This appointment should be carried out within 2-5 weeks of your abortion.
During the appointment you will be asked to either provide a urine sample for a pregnancy test, complete blood work, or have an ultrasound to confirm that you are no longer pregnant.
What Happens if a Medical Abortion Fails?
Although uncommon, there is a small chance that a medical abortion may fail. In some cases, it may be that the medication has ended the pregnancy but not all of the pregnancy tissue has been expelled from the womb.
In either circumstance, it is important to contact your healthcare provider for advice. You may need to repeat the medical abortion process or have the pregnancy surgically removed from your womb using either vacuum aspiration or forceps (this will be done under medication and with the guidance and support of medical professionals).
You will know if your abortion has failed if you continue to experience pregnancy symptoms, test positive on a pregnancy test 3-4 weeks after the abortion, or have the pregnancy confirmed by an ultrasound scan.
Having to repeat an abortion can be upsetting for many women. So, it’s important to have people around you who can offer reassurance during this difficult time.
How Long Does a Medical Abortion Take?
Once you have taken the second pill, a medical abortion should take anywhere from 2-6 hours. For some women, it may take longer. Be sure to rest as much as you can. It can also be helpful to have a trusted loved one with you to offer comfort as you may be in need of emotional support.
What Does Medical Abortion Pain Feel Like?
The pain you will likely experience will be similar to strong period cramps. However, each woman is different and the amount of pain women experience tends to vary. Generally speaking, most women find the pain is manageable and can be eased by taking over-the-counter pain relief medication and using hot water bottles or heating pads.
It is a good idea to take pain relief half an hour before taking the misoprostol tablet. This should ease any cramping and help you feel more comfortable throughout the process.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
The time it takes to recover from a medical abortion varies from woman to woman. However, most women start feeling themselves again the day after taking the second pill. Many are able to resume normal activities within 1-2 days of completing the medication.
Of course, you know your body. So, it’s important to listen to what it’s telling you. Avoid any activities that cause you discomfort, especially in those early days, and be sure to rest as much as you can to give your body the best chance at a fast recovery.
Emotional Recovery from Abortion
It is important to note that abortion recovery isn’t just physical. You may experience a variety of emotions throughout your abortion journey, from sadness to relief, fear to guilt. You should know these feelings are normal.
However, it can be helpful to reach out to a trusted friend or loved one who you feel comfortable talking to. Often, having the opportunity to share how you’re feeling is a powerful way to process your emotions and heal over time.
If you need further support in your emotional recovery, be sure to ask your healthcare provider for counselling recommendations where you can seek professional support.
What are the Benefits of a Medical Abortion?
While the decision to get an abortion is never easy, it is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy. With a medical abortion women can expect the following benefits:
- You can usually have the abortion at home (or somewhere you feel comfortable and safe). If you have to take the medication in a hospital or clinic, you will usually be allowed to go home for the cramping and bleeding part.
- For many women, passing a pregnancy feels more natural as opposed to having a surgical abortion
- You can end your pregnancy as soon as you find out you are pregnant
- You can choose who to have with you during the abortion.
What are the Risks of a Medical Abortion?
While medical abortions are considered to be a safe and effective treatment option, as with any medical procedure risks and complications are possible. The risks of a medical abortion include:
- Failure to end the pregnancy
- Retaining pregnancy tissue inside the womb (occurs in 35 out of 1,000 women)
- Excessive diarrhoea and digestive pain
- Unpleasant vaginal odours and a fever that lasts more than 48 hours (this could be a sign of infection)
- Allergic reactions to the medication
- Heavy bleeding that won’t stop without medical intervention
If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is vital that you seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Final Words
As you can see, there is a lot to think about when undergoing a medical abortion. We hope this comprehensive guide has helped answer some of your questions and provide much-needed clarity on the process, risks and benefits, and what to expect from your recovery.
If you would like to discuss medical abortion further and the options available to you, please do not hesitate to reach out. A member of our team would be happy to listen and share their advice.
For more articles like this covering topics such as abortion, contraception, and women’s health, visit our blog.
