Abortion Pill
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Medical Abortion (Abortion Pill)
A medical abortion uses medicine to end a pregnancy and it is only done if you are 10 weeks or less from the first day of your last period. The drug is called mifepristone and it is taken by mouth. You will have vaginal bleeding and pass clots and fetal tissue. Bleeding usually lasts 9 to 16 days and may last up to 30 days. Your doctor should schedule you for a follow-up visit and if the abortion is not complete, you will be given a second drug called misoprostol.
Possible complications may include:
- Nausea, weakness, fever/chills, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, or dizziness
- Hemorrhaging (heavy bleeding) and possible blood transfusions or surgery to stop the bleeding
- Failure to remove all parts of the baby and other tissue, including the placenta, may require a follow-up surgical procedure.
- Increased risk of infertility (the inability to have a baby) may result if complications occur with the procedure
- Severe infection after a medical abortion has resulted in death.
You shouldn’t take the abortion pill if:
- It has been more than 10 weeks since the first day of your last period.
- You are allergic to one of the medications to be used.
- You have or might have an ectopic pregnancy (that’s where the baby grows outside of the uterus).
- You have an IUD.
- You have been taking certain types of medicines.
- You have a particular medical condition.
- You cannot get to all of the visits your doctor recommends.
- You are unable to get to a doctor or clinic in case of an emergency.
You should always consult your doctor before a medical abortion to discuss any possible complications that will make a medical abortion unsafe for you.
Suction Curettage (Surgical Abortion)
A suction curettage is the most common type of abortion and can be performed up to 13 weeks of pregnancy. Most women will have some pain with this procedure and pain medication may be given beforehand. For the procedure, the doctor inserts a speculum to hold open the vagina and injects or applies local anesthesia. Then the cervix is stretched open and the contents of the uterus, including the baby and placenta, are removed using a suction device. The procedure usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, but can take longer depending upon the growth stage of the baby.
Possible complications may include:
- Hemorrhaging (heavy bleeding) and possible blood transfusions or surgery to stop the bleeding
- Perforation of the uterus (a hole in the uterus).
- Failure to remove all parts of the baby and other tissue, including the placenta, may require a follow-up surgical procedure.
- Increased risk of infertility (the inability to have a baby) may result if complications occur with the procedure
- Infection
If you are unsure about having an abortion please contact us and we can offer you a free pregnancy test, ultrasound, and options counseling.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency please call 9-1-1.
References
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