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.
See also:
Alternative NamesTherapeutic medical abortion; Elective medical abortion; Induced abortion
DescriptionA 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. Most women who use medication do so because of a desire to avoid anesthesia and surgery.
Why the Procedure Is PerformedThere are several reasons a medical abortion might be considered:
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.
RisksRisks of medical (nonsurgical) abortion include:
A pelvic examination is performed to confirm the pregnancy and estimate how many weeks pregnant you are.
A HCG blood test may be done to confirm the pregnancy.
A vaginal or abdominal ultrasound may be done to determine the exact age of the fetus and its location in the womb.
After the ProcedurePhysical recovery usually occurs within a few days, depending on the stage of the pregnancy. A small amount of vaginal bleeding and mild uterine cramping should be expected for a few days.
A hot bath or use of a heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen may help relieve discomfort. Strenuous activity should be avoided for a few days. Tampons may be used after 3 days. Sexual intercourse should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks. A normal menstrual period should occur in about 4 to 6 weeks.
It's important to begin using Birth Control immediately after the abortion procedure. It is possible to get pregnant again even before having a normal menstrual period. Improved methods of contraception can help prevent many unplanned pregnancies. However, unplanned pregnancies occur even when couples use birth control.
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's important to seek counseling before making this very difficult decision.
ReferencesACOG. Clinical management guidelines of obstetrician-gynecologists. Medical management of abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Oct;106(4):871-82.
Mischell DR. Family planning: contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy termination. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 14.
Simpson JL, Jauniaux ERM. Pregnancy loss. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 24.
Annas GJ, Elias S. Legal and ethical issues in obstetric practice. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 51.
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.
See also:
Alternative NamesTherapeutic medical abortion; Elective medical abortion; Induced abortion; Nonsurgical abortion
DescriptionA 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.
Why the Procedure Is PerformedThere are several reasons a medical abortion might be considered:
Risks of medical (nonsurgical) abortion include:
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:
Physical recovery usually occurs within a few days, depending on the stage of the pregnancy. A small amount of vaginal bleeding and mild uterine cramping should be expected for a few days.
A hot bath or use of a heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen may help relieve discomfort. Strenuous activity should be avoided for a few days. Sexual intercourse should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks. A normal menstrual period should occur in about 4 to 6 weeks.
It's important to begin using birth control immediately after the abortion procedure. It is possible to get pregnant again even before having a normal menstrual period. Improved methods of contraception can help prevent many unplanned pregnancies. However, unplanned pregnancies occur even when couples use birth control.
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.
ReferencesACOG. Clinical management guidelines of obstetrician-gynecologists. Medical management of abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Oct;106(4):871-82.
Mischell DR. Family planning: contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy termination. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 14.
Simpson JL, Jauniaux ERM. Pregnancy loss. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 24.
Annas GJ, Elias S. Legal and ethical issues in obstetric practice. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 51.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/21/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Abortion is the medical term meaning sponaneous or induced termination of pregnancy. What is commonly known as a miscarriage is called a spontaneous abortion in medical terminology. An induced abortion is commonly called an abortion in lay language.
The medical terminology for stopping pregnancy is abortion. In medical terminology, abortion refers to both miscarriage ("spontaneous abortion") and "induced abortion" (deliberate ending of a pregnancy). There are only 3 ways to end a pregnancy; abortion, miscarriage or childbirth.
There are two common types of abortion methods: 1) Medical abortion: Medical abortions use pharmacological drugs to terminate the pregnancy. Sometimes the terms “non-surgical abortion” or “abortion with pills” are also used. Surgical abortion: In surgical abortion procedures, a qualified professional will empty the uterus through the cervix to terminate the pregnancy. These procedures include manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and dilatation and evacuation (D&E). For additional information, you can contact our team at info@howtouseabortionpill.org or visit howtouseabortionpill.org.
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You can get pregnant again as soon as 8 days after a medical abortion. If you have intercourse, you should consider using contraceptives to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. I came across a website howtouseabortionpill.org which will provide answers of abortion pill FAQ and medical abortion and future fertility. You can contact them at info@howtouseabortionpill.org to ask questions related to abortion pills and how to use them.
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After using the abortion pills sublingually or bucally , it is not possible for someone else to tell the difference between abortion and miscarriage, as the symptoms and signs are the same. We do not routinely recommend using the Misoprostol vaginally, because if you need to seek medical attention it would be possible for medical staff to see remnants of the pills and know that you used the abortion pills. If you want an abortion counseling then visit safe2choose.org website.
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By a medical or surgical abortion. Speak to your doctor.
When you take medication to induce the abortion.
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