An alternative to surgical abortion is medication abortion (abortion pills), sometimes referred to as medical abortion or the abortion pills. Up to 16 weeks into a pregnancy, this kind of abortion can be carried out.
To terminate an unintended pregnancy, medical abortion combines two drugs: First Pill and Second Pill .
A medication abortion is a non-invasive, low-risk method of ending a pregnancy. It works around 99 percent of the time.
Abortion pills are offered by our Port Elizabeth general practitioners. Certain services allow telehealth over the phone, and your tests are scheduled locally.
How the abortion pill works
Medical abortion (abortion pills) terminates pregnancies without surgery by using a combination of First pill and Second pill.
Up to nine weeks into a pregnancy, a pharmaceutical abortion is permitted in South Africa.
Progesterone levels must be high for a pregnancy to continue. First pill, prevents the progression of pregnancy by blocking the action of progesterone. To remove the pregnancy, the second pills compresses the uterus and softens the cervix.
What to expect during your medical abortion (Abortion Pills) appointments at our abortion clinic Mount Pleasant
Depending on the sort of clinic you visit and whether certain tests (such blood and ultrasound testing) are available on-site or require separate appointments, the procedure and number of sessions for a medication abortion vary.
In a single first visit, certain clinics can provide the required diagnostics and medication abortion.
Before taking the first medicine , you must remove any intrauterine devices (IUDs).
A doctor and frequently a nurse will see you, and they will typically:
- Determine the stage of your pregnancy; blood, urine, and ultrasound tests will be scheduled. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing may be available at certain clinics.
- You might be questioned about your medical history and any other pertinent information (including your sexual and reproductive health) during a private medical evaluation.
- Give you information on the many types of abortions, the procedures involved, what to anticipate, and the available pre- and post-abortion care.
- Give yourself the chance to ask questions so that you can decide which option is best for you.
- If you choose to have a medication abortion, they will ask you to sign a consent document.
- To minimize side effects, talk about pain management and any other medications you might need.
- Provide you a prescription for abortion drugs, which you must pick up from a pharmacy.
What to expect during a medical abortion procedure (abortion pills) at our abortion clinic Mount Pleasant
The following steps are typically involved in an abortion medication procedure:
- A tablet of the first pill – you can go about your daily activities.
- After 36 to 48 hours, take a misoprostol tablet. This helps the uterus expel the pregnancy and softens the cervix.
- Make other plans for anyone in your care (like school pick-up) and spend the following six to ten hours at home.
- If you require additional treatment, have a responsible adult stay with you so they can drive you to a clinic or hospital.
- Even if it can take longer, the abortion will be finished a few hours later.
- One or two days off or less activities.
- If you have any questions or concerns during or after the operation, call the clinic you visited or look for additional professional assistance.
What happens after taking abortion pills
You can have the following side effects after taking the second abortion pill at home:
- fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness
- ache that is typically much worse than menstrual pain and occurs within 30 minutes.
- One to four hours later, there may be big clots and the bleeding is stronger than a period.
- The bleeding normally subsides to the level of your typical period after two to six hours.
- Bleeding typically lasts for a further three to seven days, much like a typical menstruation.
- After a pharmaceutical abortion, bleeding may continue for up to four weeks in an unpredictable, irregular, or protracted manner.
Follow-up appointments after a medical abortion (abortion pills)
A follow-up appointment is necessary to confirm that the surgery is finished and the pregnancy is over.
To be sure the pregnancy hormone level has decreased, many doctors request a blood test. In two weeks, you will be scheduled for a review appointment.
In about 1% of instances, medication abortion is ineffective. About 2 to 5 percent of women have some fetal tissue left in their uterus, or womb, and will require more care (such more pills or a minor operation) to finish the abortion. Your physician will talk to you about this.
Self-care at home after a medical abortion
In the days after the abortion, the physician or nurse will give you advice on how to care for yourself. Self-care could involve:
- managing the cramps using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (your doctor may prescribe stronger medication if necessary)
- using hot packs for pain relief
- rubbing the sore spot.
In order to lower your risk of infection in the week following the surgery, you should avoid:
- Put anything—including tampons—into your vagina.
- have vaginal sex
- Engage in any physically demanding activity, such as sports or heavy labor, until the bleeding stops.
- Take a bath (you can shower) or go swimming.
Your physician will inform you of any dangers and adverse effects, as well as what to do in the event that they materialize.
Medical abortion (abortion pills) side effects and possible risks
Your physician will advise you on potential side effects, the likelihood of complications, and what to do in the event that they materialize.
Typical side effects of medical abortion (abortion pills)
The following are common adverse consequences of pharmaceutical abortion:
- uterine cramping pain
- bleeding that is erratic, irregular, or protracted.
If you require medical assistance or if any of these side effects are concerning to you, get in touch with your doctor. Additionally, a 24-hour hotline number will be provided to you in case you have any questions or concerns after hours.
Possible risks of medical abortion (abortion pills)
Medication abortion seldom results in serious side effects. They could consist of:
- Less than one in 1,000 people will experience hemorrhage (extremely intense bleeding) that need a blood transfusion. Seek medical help right away if you are filling more than two large pads each hour for longer than two hours, have clots the size of a small lemon, or feel weak or faint from heavy bleeding.
- Retained products: fragments of tissue that might stay in the womb and continue to hemorrhage. Without therapy, they will often go away over time. To get rid of them, you might need to take more pills or have a minor surgery.
- Pregnancy continuation: in about 1% of cases, pharmaceutical abortion fails and the pregnancy continues. If the pregnancy is less than nine weeks along, the tablets can be taken again; if not, a surgical abortion might be necessary.
- One percent of persons get infected and require antibiotic therapy. Symptoms of an infection can include fever, unusual vaginal discharge, and pain. Symptoms might occasionally be subtle and include common ones like fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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