Abortion-medical (patient information)

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Overview
A medical abortion is the use of certain medications to end a pregnancy. The drugs help remove the fetus and placenta from the mother's womb (uterus).

There are different types of medical abortion.

Sometimes the woman has one for a health reason. This is called a therapeutic medical abortion.

Other times, she chooses (elects) to end the pregnancy. This is called an elective medical abortion.

How is the medical abortion done?
A medical, or nonsurgical, abortion can be done within 7 weeks from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period. A combination of prescription hormone medicines are used to help the body remove the fetus and placenta tissue. The doctor may give you the medicines after performing a physical exam and asking questions about your medical history.

Medications used to end an early pregnancy include mifepristone, methotrexate, misoprostol, prostaglandins, or a combination of these medications.

Who needs medical abortion?
There are several reasons a medical abortion might be considered:


 * The developing baby has a birth defect or genetic problem
 * The pregnancy is harmful to the woman's health (therapeutic abortion)
 * The pregnancy resulted after a traumatic event such as rape or incest
 * The woman may not wish to be pregnant (elective abortion)

When to seek urgent medical care?
The decision to end a pregnancy is very personal. Most health care providers recommend careful counseling before making such a decision.

Abortion is a controversial issue. A woman who chooses to end a pregnancy may feel she cannot share her decision with others. Therefore, it is important for her to identify those who may help her through what may be a difficult time.

Women who are trying to make this difficult decision should find a safe place in which they can obtain counseling regarding all options for pregnancy resolution.

If a woman chooses to have an abortion, she should find a safe place to have the procedure performed and obtain the proper support and follow-up care afterwards.

Test done before this procedure:


 * Pelvic examination is done to confirm the pregnancy and estimate how many weeks pregnant you are.
 * HCG blood test may be done to confirm the pregnancy.
 * Vaginal or abdominal ultrasound may be done to determine the exact age of the fetus and its location in the womb.

Where to find centers that perform medical abortion?
Directions to Hospitals Performing Medical Abortion

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Complications rarely occur.

Women who have a medical abortion have cramping and bleeding, and pass the pregnancy-related tissue as though they were having a miscarriage.

Some women feel ambivalent about ending a pregnancy, and may need psychological and emotional support. It may be helpful to seek counseling before making this very difficult decision.

Possible complications
Risks of medical (nonsurgical) abortion include:
 * Continued bleeding
 * Diarrhea
 * Fetus not passing completely from body, making surgery necessary
 * Infection
 * Nausea
 * Pain
 * Vomiting