What is medical abortion and how does it work?

The Medical Abortion is an option to end an early pregnancy (up to 10 weeks after the first day of a woman‚ last menstrual cycle) in three steps:

• Initially, you’ll receive Mifepristone during your initial clinic visit, either from a doctor or a nurse practitioner. This drug inhibits the hormone progesterone, essential for maintaining the uterine lining, thus halting the progression of the pregnancy. Following the administration of Mifepristone, some individuals may start to bleed immediately, while others may not. Once bleeding commences, you should begin the prescribed antibiotics provided to you. Our team will contact you on the evening of your treatment to check on your well-being, address any inquiries, and assure you that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
• 48 hours after the initial medication, you’ll take the second drug, (Misoprostol). Make sure to arrange a comfortable setting for yourself. This stage involves placing four pills inside your cheeks, two on each side, and allowing them to dissolve over 20-30 minutes. This drug induces uterine contractions to release its contents. Some women might experience lighter bleeding, similar to a period without noticeable cramps, while others may endure heavier bleeding and significant cramps during this expulsion phase. It’s essential to understand that all reactions within this spectrum are typical. The bleeding and cramping should decrease after the process is completed. Severe cramping generally subsides within 24 hours. You may take up to 800 mg of Motrin every six to eight hours to help manage cramping and substantial bleeding.
• Time for your follow-up appointment. It’s essential to confirm that your abortion process is complete and to ensure your well-being. During this visit, we will conduct a blood test to check the decrease in your hormone levels and perform a pelvic ultrasound to provide the final «A-OK.»

What is Medical Termination (the ‘Abortion Pill’)?

Medical Termination provides a non-surgical option for ending a pregnancy less than 10 weeks along. It’s a safe and effective method (approximately 98%) that allows you to complete the process in the privacy and comfort of your own home. You can expect to experience moderate to severe abdominal cramps and heavy bleeding, often described by many as a «very heavy period.» Two weeks after your initial visit, when you receive the medication, you’ll need to return for a follow-up appointment to ensure the procedure was successful and that the pregnancy has been terminated.

What to Expect During Your Visit for a Medical Termination?

Expect to spend about an hour at our clinic on the day of your Medical Abortion. Initially, you’ll complete some routine paperwork to gather your full medical history and other essential details. After this, we’ll take you to our lab for a blood type check and a pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. An ultrasound will follow to ensure you are a suitable candidate for Medical Termination. It’s crucial to confirm that you are less than 9 weeks pregnant and that the pregnancy is within the uterus, as pregnancies outside the uterus (like in the tubes, ovaries, or cervix) need different treatments. Next, you’ll have a detailed consultation with one of our medical providers, who will thoroughly explain the medication process. You will receive the first pill (Mifeprex) in our office, which begins the abortion process. You will then take home four additional pills (Misoprostol) to be taken 24-48 hours later at a time that suits you, which will complete the process at home.

Is there any Required Follow Up for a Medical Termination?

Yes, a follow-up visit is mandatory and scheduled for two weeks after your procedure. This appointment is crucial to verify the success of the medical termination. During this visit, you will undergo an ultrasound and consult with your medical provider to discuss the outcome.

Is a Medical Termination Safe? Is it Effective?

Medical Termination is a highly safe procedure. Serious adverse effects, such as infections, occur in less than 0.1% (1 in 1,000) of patients, and mortality due to serious infection is extremely rare, at 0.01% (1 in 100,000). As for its effectiveness, the abortion pill has a success rate of approximately 95%. In cases where the medical abortion is «incomplete» or «failed,» your provider will discuss the results with you and decide on the necessary follow-up or intervention. Typically, this might involve administering the medication again or opting for a surgical abortion if needed.

Can I still get pregnant after a Medical Abortion?

YES. Pregnancy is possible after a medical abortion. Once your pregnancy hormones (Beta hCG) return to negative and your menstruation resumes, your chances of becoming pregnant again are similar to what they were prior to the medical abortion. This underscores the importance of initiating birth control during your follow-up appointment two weeks post-procedure to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.

How Can I Be Sure That The Abortion Was Successful?

We arrange follow-up appointments about two weeks after your procedure to ensure the abortion was successful. During this visit, a follow-up ultrasound is performed to confirm the absence of pregnancy. Additional tests or evaluations are conducted if necessary.

What Happens If I Have Any Complications After My Abortion?

While serious complications are rare, should you experience any concerns or complications, you will have access to a contact number for our on-call provider. This provider is available to assess your situation over the phone at any hour to determine if immediate care or further evaluation is required. Unlike other facilities that may direct you to an emergency room for most issues, our center conducts evaluations directly with a physician. It refers to the emergency room only in truly necessary cases. It’s crucial to contact us with any concerns or emergencies, as many issues can be resolved after consulting with our experienced physician.

When will I receive my first period after a Medical Abortion?

You can expect your first menstrual cycle about six weeks after taking Mifeprex. During the first six weeks, you may notice spotting, periods of no bleeding, and episodes of passing blood clots with cramps. The initial menstrual cycle after an abortion tends to be heavier than your normal cycles, but the subsequent cycles should return to your pre-pregnancy norm.

Will It Hurt? Will I Get Any Pain Medication?

Medical termination is often likened to experiencing a very heavy period, with typically more intense cramping and bleeding than usual. The severity of these symptoms usually correlates with the gestational age of the pregnancy. We provide a prescription for pain medication during your visit, as needed

What If The Pill Doesn’t Work?

Our medical team will assess whether the medical termination was successful. If the abortion is incomplete, a surgical termination might be necessary, depending on your specific situation.

What If I Don’t Bleed After Taking The Pills?

We will provide you with comprehensive instructions before you leave our clinic. However, if you do not experience any bleeding within 24 hours after taking Misoprostol at home, it is crucial to contact us immediately for further guidance.

What If You Can’t See Anything On My Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a critical step before proceeding with a medical termination to ensure it is the right option for you. It confirms that the pregnancy is within the first 10 weeks and located inside your uterus. In instances where no pregnancy is visible in the uterus, it could be too early, or it might be an ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo grows outside the uterus—this is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.

If we can’t detect anything in your uterus, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t proceed with the medical termination that day. Should you choose to go ahead, we will conduct additional lab work to measure your blood pregnancy hormone levels. This test must be repeated a week after your termination to verify that the procedure was successful. If your hormone levels are declining, it indicates a successful termination. However, if the levels plateau or rise with a subsequent ultrasound still showing an empty uterus, we will investigate further for an ectopic pregnancy.

Alternatively, you have the option to wait another 7-10 days and return for another ultrasound to decide on proceeding with the medical termination. Our staff will discuss all available options with you in detail during your visit. Our foremost priority is to ensure you receive the safest and highest quality of care possible.

If I am RH Negative, What Do I Need To Do Differently?

If your blood type is RH-negative, it’s important to receive a RhoGAM injection during your medical termination process. This injection is crucial as it prevents your body from developing harmful antibodies that could affect future pregnancies by attacking the positive blood cells of the fetus.