Abortion Pills. Everything You Should Know About How It Works.

Medication abortion is the other name women who ask for abortion pills. It is a highly safe, effective and efficient way to end unwanted pregnancies. The medication abortion procedure has been used to terminate over 3 million pregnancies in the U.S. since approved in September of 2000. Many ask about what abortion pills do? The Abortion pill procedure is actually performed with using two different medications. The first pill taken is Mifepristone (RU 486, Mifeprex). It is a anti-progestin. The second medication taken is Misoprostol (Cytotec). The medication is a prostaglandin that was FDA approved in the U.S. to prevent gastric ulcers.

How abortion pills work

As noted above, Mifepristone is a anti-progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that maintains uterine quiescence (prevents womb quiet so it does not contract). In essence a decrease or low progesterone causes uterine contractions and in turn, spontaneous miscarriage. Progesterone is also responsible for the thickening of the lining of the uterus. In its absence, the endometrium undergoes a process called decidualization when the endometrial lining sheds and the endometrial blood vessels break down. This separates the pregnancy from the uterine wall. A complete abortion occurs in 40% of women using Mifepristone alone who are 8 weeks or less pregnant. Misoprostol (the second pill) is a prostaglandin. It causes uterine contractions. It can be taken simultaneously with the first pill or up to 5 to 7 days later. Medical research shows that patients who are less than 8 weeks pregnant, the success rate of termination of pregnancy is 96 to 98%. There is a 93 to 95 percent rate of success in patients 9 to 10 weeks pregnant.

Does Emergency Contraception cause abortion?

The abortion pills are totally different from. Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pills). Emergency Contraception prevents pregnancies from occurring by preventing or delaying ovulation. Morning After Pills do not work after ovulation occurs or if the woman is already pregnant. The Copper IUD is the only Emergency Contraceptive that works after ovulation occurs. It theoretically may be toxic to the egg released, prevent the sperm from penetrating the egg, preventing the sperm from entering the cervix (opening of the uterus) or prevent the implantation of the blastocyst into the uterine wall. The incidence of becoming pregnant with insertion of the IUD within 7 days of unprotected intercourse is .001%.

It is also important to discuss with the abortion pill clinic regarding Emergency Contraception and other birth control measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies in the future. Emergency Contraception is most effective immediately after unprotected intercourse. Therefore women who are reproductive age and active sexuallyshould carry the Emergency Contraceptive pill in their purse or have it in their medicine cabinet. There are Abortion Clinics that include the Emergency Contraceptive (Morning After Pill) (Levonorgestrol 1.5 mg, Plan B) free in their Abortion Pill or Surgical Abortion price.

Is abortion pill dangerous?

Abortion pills are highly effective and safe. There are rare cases where the medical abortion fails (2 to 3%). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s abortion surveillance data, approximately 2 to 3 women die in the US yearly out of approximately 1.2 million procedures. Less than 1% of women are hospitalized from complications after an abortion.

Common side effects from the abortion pill may include headaches, dizziness, low grade temperature, nausea, vomiting, uterine cramping, lower abdominal discomfort, vaginal bleeding and diarrhea. Your doctor or nurse may offer Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Advil for headache, elevated temperature or abdominal discomfort. Uterine massage or applying a heating pad may help for lower abdominal discomfort. Over 50% of women who undergo the abortion pill procedure, pain medication is not required. To combat nausea, anti-nausea medications such as Zofran or Phenergan may be prescribed.

The Risks of taking abortion pill

Medication abortion is used to terminate pregnancies in many countries. Not only can it be used for early termination of pregnancy, but the abortion pill may be used in the second trimester and late term abortions. Serious complications are rare, but may occur. These include the following:

1. Sometimes abortion pills don’t work and the pregnancy continues.

2. Some of the pregnancy tissue may remain in the uterus (incomplete abortion).

3. Retained blood clots in uterus may lead to uterine cramping and vaginal bleeding.

4. Bleeding for a long period of time or an excessive amount (greater than 2 pads an hour for more than 2 hours)

5. Infection (foul vaginal discharge, continuous lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding and low grade temperature.

6. Allergic reaction to the Mifepristone or Misoprostol medications.

These side effects are not common, but when they occur, it is imperative to call the medical facility to discuss the issues and determine if you need immediate evaluation.

In extremely rare cases, complications can be very serious and life threatening. One must call Abortion Pill Clinic immediately if you have been following issues:

1. Bleed heavily from the vagina that soaks through 3 or more pads an hour for 2 hours in a row.

2. Passing large blood clots for more than 2 hours.

3. Belly pain or cramps are getting worse even after pain medications are given.

4.A fever of 100.4 or higher if more than 24 hours has passed after taking Misoprostol.

5. The combination of weakness, nausea, unable to stand up, listless, foul vaginal discharge and temperature may be normal. that lasts more than 24 hours after taking Misoprostol.

In very rare cases, an overwhelming sepsis may occur and may lead to multiple organ failure and death. The Abortion Pill procedure is safer for the woman than a full term vaginal delivery or C-Section.

Will abortion pill work after 10 weeks?

The Abortion Pill works in patients who are further than 10 weeks pregnant. There is a higher incidence of retained pregnancy tissue or heavy vaginal bleeding. The Abortion Pill procedure can be performed in the second trimester and third trimester of pregnancies. For patients who are 14 weeks pregnant or further, the medical abortion procedure should be performed in the medical facility so that any complication can be addressed immediately.

Will abortion pill work ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that grows outside of the uterus. (womb). The most common place that an ectopic pregnancy occurs is the fallopian tube. It may also occur in the cervix, ovary, under the diaphragm, liver, or other intra-abdominal region.

Ectopic pregnancies in the fallopian tube are treated medically with methotrexate if there are certain criteria met. Otherwise; surgery must be performed in order to remove the pregnancy.

The fear of an ectopic pregnancy is rupture of the fallopian tube with uncontrolled massive bleeding that may result and maternal death. Maternal death can occur within minutes of rupture. The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is not always easy. Vaginal spotting and lower abdominal pain is the most common presentation of ectopic pregnancy. A pelvic ultrasound that shows absence of a intrauterine pregnancy and quantitative beta-HCG help in diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy.

Abortion Pills are unable to work or treat ectopic pregnancies. After taking Misoprostol and there is no vaginal bleeding, one must suspect an ectopic pregnancy. Patients must be given ectopic precautions which consists of development of right or left lower pelvic pain, mild vaginal bleeding or spotting and an increase in abdominal pain

A medical abortion does not cause ectopic or treat an ectopic pregnancy. Women who undergo Abortion Pill procedures have a lower incidence of ectopic pregnancy.

Where can you get the abortion pill?

You cannot get the abortion pills over the counter at any pharmacy such as Walgreens or CVS. They are restricted to private Physicians who have experience in performing abortions, Abortion Clinics and some hospitals.

Dr James S Pendergraft Orlando Abortion Clinic, www.womencenter.com.