A medical abortion uses drugs to empty the contents of the uterus. Medical abortions can be done only early in pregnancy.A medical abortion brought about by taking medications that will end a pregnancy. Either of two medications, mifepristone or methotrexate, could be used for medical abortion. Each of these medications is taken together with another medication, misoprostol, to induce an abortion. Methotrexate is a drug used to treat psoriasis, and cancer. It also stops the growth of the pregnancy when given to a woman very early in pregnancy.
Methotrexate is usually given by injection. Misoprostol is a drug used to treat stomach ulcers. It causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, pushing out the contents. Tablets of misoprostol are placed in the vagina five to seven days after the methotrexate injection is given. In most cases the uterus will be emptied within 24 hours, but in about 35 percent of cases, it can take several days or weeks. Pain medication is used to ease the pain of the cramps, which occur when the pregnancy tissue comes out of the uterus. The drugs that induce medical abortions cause birth defects. A woman who takes these drugs must be prepared to have a surgical abortion if the medical abortion is unsuccessful. A follow-up exam is done one or two weeks after the methotrexate injection to make sure that the abortion has happened.
Some of the other details and queries with regard to medical abortion are:
When Is Medical Abortion Used?
Medical abortions can be performed as early as a pregnancy can be confirmed. In fact, the shorter the time that a woman has been pregnant, the better the medications will work. Because they do not work as well later in the first trimester of pregnancy. Most places will only do a medical abortion using methotrexate and misoprostol up to seven weeks from the start of your last period.
How Long Do Medical Abortions Take?
It could take anywhere from about a day to 3-4 weeks from the time a woman takes the first medication until the medical abortion is completed. The length of time depends in part on which medications are taken.
During and After a Medical Abortion:
Some women will have vaginal bleeding after the first drug. This bleeding may be light, or it may be like a heavy period. In addition to cramps and bleeding, side effects may include: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, or fatigue. Takes place over a week or more and involves several visits to the doctor.
Follow-Up Care:
Medical abortion requires a follow-up visit to the clinic or medical office. This return visit is very important to be sure that the abortion has been completed. In addition, a woman should contact her health care provider about any problems or concerns she has during the medical abortion. The other method is called surgical abortion.
Advantages
.avoids surgery and the risk of damage to the uterus with surgical instruments
.can be done early before signs of pregnancy occur
.may feel less invasive than surgery
.may seem more private to some women since much of the procedure can occur at home
Disadvantages
.takes place over a week or more and involves several visits to the doctor
.ten percent risk that the procedure will be incomplete and a surgical abortion will need to be done
.sometimes causes heavy bleeding
.the drugs may have unpleasant side effects including nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping or pain, vomiting, hot flashes
