As soon as your pregnancy test is positive, when it is too late for the morning after treatment (MAT)[1], before you even miss a period, we can treat you….privately, discreetly, quickly, and without surgery!

The medical abortion[2], also known as a non-surgical abortion, is more like a naturally occurring miscarriage and many women feel it is less stressful emotionally.[3]

There are two different medications used for medical abortion; your specific procedure will depend on the length of your pregnancy. Methotrexate/Misoprostol[4] and Mifepristone (RU486)[5] are both medications used to stimulate the process of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).

Your visit starts with a urine pregnancy test and vaginal sonogram.[6] As soon as your test turns positive and we verify you are less then nine weeks pregnant your procedure may begin.

Your gestation – the length of your pregnancy as determined by vaginal sonogram – determines the medication used for your non-surgical abortion procedure.

The Methotrexate/Misoprostol³ medical abortion starts with injections of methotrexate.

• This medication causes the early developing pregnancy to stop growing. The injections are very safe and are as effective as RU-486.
• On the sixth and eighth day after the injections you will take Misoprostol tablets by mouth. These tablets will promote cramping and miscarriage of the pregnancy.
• Vaginal bleeding may start from one (1) to three (3) weeks from the initial injection. Expect your bleeding to last between 9 – 16 days and may last as long as 30 days.

The Mifepristone (RU486) medical abortion begins with an oral medication taken in our office.

• Two days later you will take misoprostol tablets by mouth. These tablets will promote cramping and miscarriage of the pregnancy.
• If you are not already bleeding after taking the Mifepristone, you probably will begin to bleed after taking the Misoprostol.
• Expect your bleeding to last between 9 – 16 days and may last as long as 30 days.

How Medical Abortion Works[7]

There are three steps for medical abortion:

1) You will receive you a dose of either mifepristone or methotrexate in the office.

• Mifepristone — blocks the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, ending the pregnancy.
• Methotrexate — stops the growth of the pregnancy in the uterus. It can also stop the growth of pregnancies that develop in a fallopian tube — ectopic pregnancies.
  

2) You will take a second medication — misoprostol.

• Misoprostol softens the cervix and causes the uterus to contract and empty.
• Your specific medication will determine the timing and place for the second step — you may take the second medicine at home. Or you may need to return to the office. You will receive instructions on how to take it.
• You will take the misoprostol up to three days after taking mifepristone OR six and eight days after taking methotrexate.
• After you take the misoprostol you will most likely start to bleed heavily within hours or days. This is the abortion. You may see large blood clots or tissue during the initial bleeding.
  

3) You will return to our office for a follow-up visit in two to three weeks.

Follow-up visit.

We need to be certain the abortion is complete and that you are well. We will do a sonogram and a pregnancy test at your follow up visit.

RH Factor

The RH factor of your blood type will be determined at your initial visit, and, if you have RH negative blood you will receive a Rhogam[8] injection the day you begin your procedure.[9]

You will receive written information that describes the entire process and you will have a private consultation with our physician to address any questions or concerns.

[1] http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/ecinfo.htm

[2] http://www.medicationabortion.com/

[3] http://www.prochoice.org/

[4] http://www.fwhc.org/abortion/mtxinfo.htm

[5] http://www.earlyoptionpill.com/

[6] http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003779.htm

[7] http://www.medicationabortion.com/

[8] http://www.rhogam.com/English/Patients/index.aspx

[9] http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/rhfactor/a/aa050601a.htm

Abortion Advantage
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