Medical Abortions
Medical abortion is commonly called “abortion by pill”, medical or medication abortion. It is a non-invasive procedure for terminating a pregnancy. The name of the abortion pill is Mifeprex®. It has also been called Mifepristoneand RU-486.
Mifeprex® has been available as an early abortion method in the United States since September 2000, although, in several other countries around the world it has been a safe abortion method for more than 20 years. While studies have shown that various methods for administering the medications can work safely and effectively, the FDA has approved only one option for administration in the U.S. While some doctor’s offices and clinics may use the FDA approved method, others may use an alternative treatment plan which has equal success and safety rates. Here, at Atlanta Women’s Center, we use the alternative treatment plan which is more affordable and more flexible for patients.
You may choose a medical abortion to end your pregnancy if you are between 5 and 8 weeks pregnant based on your last menstrual period and are an appropriate candidate. You may not be eligible for a medical abortion if you have: an ectopic pregnancy, ovarian mass, an IUD in place, adrenal failure, anemia, bleeding disorders, asthma, liver or kidney problems, heart disease, or high blood pressure; or if you are currently using blood thinners or certain steroids.
How does the medical abortion work?
Mifeprex® is used with another medication called misoprostol (also called Cytotec) to cause a process similar to miscarriage. There are three steps to the medical abortion, and the time it takes to complete the abortion can vary from person to person. The medical abortion requires at least 2 visits to Atlanta Women’s Center.
Step 1: First Visit
On the day of your first appointment, you will go through a pre-procedural assessment, which includes having an ultrasound, vital signs and blood testing, medical consultation, counseling session, and payment. The medical abortion will begin when the doctor administers Mifeprex®. This medication is taken by mouth and will stop production of the hormones necessary to sustain the pregnancy.
Step 2: At Home
48 hours after taking Mifeprex® you will take a dose of misoprostol. Misoprostol is a medication that induces the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. You can expect the first symptoms of abortion within 4 – 6 hours of taking the misopostol. You will begin to experience strong cramping and heavy bleeding. Some women say that the procedure is very much like a heavy period while other women describe the bleeding and cramping as much more intense. Please keep in mind that everyone responds to the medical abortion differently.
The heaviest of the bleeding and cramping should pass within 24 hours, though for some women it may take longer. Afterwards your bleeding should then begin to resemble a normal period. You may continue to bleed and have some mild cramping for up to 30 days.
Step 3: Second Visit
You will return to Atlanta Women’s Center for a follow-up exam which includes a pregnancy test and ultrasound. This is the most important part of the procedure, as this is the only way to determine if the abortion is complete. If the medical abortion fails to remove all the pregnancy tissue, the physician may give you more misoprostol or perform a surgical abortion. 5-8 out of 100 women will need a surgical procedure to end the pregnancy.
Click here (AWC Using Mifeprex – Med Guide Alt Tx Plan) for a summary of how a medical abortion works; click here (AWC MAB Consent forms) for medical abortion consent forms; click here (AWC MAB Discharge Instructions) for discharge instructions and click here (FDA MAB Warning) for important information from the FDA about Mifeprex use .