Medical abortion means taking an abortion pill. There are two primary types of terminating a pregnancy. One is through a surgical method is, the other is by taking pills. The medical one involves taking two types that will help a woman stop the possibility of becoming pregnant. Plan A is the “morning-after capsules,” and Plan B, which is specifically designed to prevent one from becoming pregnant.
The first one to take is called the mifepristone and the second is the Cytotec or misoprostol. These two medications are taken together to increase the chances of abortion, reduce the duration of side effects, and prevent one from having a child. See more about ending pregnancies in this link here.
These are often available in many abortion services, clinics, and doctors. It’s essential that you should not obtain them from the black market or through shady online platforms. According to some websites, surgery costs can amount to more than $700, and this depends on the area where you’re living. Additional tests and the price of the drugs will be some of the factors that will affect the costs. Others may require follow-ups, and depending on the location, it can be affordable.
Eligibility for the Pill
Those who are underway for about ten weeks are eligible to take the abortion pill if these women don’t want to continue their pregnancy. After these, some who wish to terminate will need an abortion through surgical means.
This is common in many women who have pre-existing medical issues that can endanger their lives. However, it’s still best to consult a doctor on what’s best for you. Those who are not eligible are the following:
- Women who don’t want to have a surgical abortion or are unwilling to try this method if the pill does not provide the effects they want.
- Individuals who have a mass on the ovary or who are currently having an ectopic pregnancy
- Those who were dependent on corticosteroids
- Women with a specific genetic disease
- Individuals who can’t follow directions or don’t understand the entire process
- Pregnancies that don’t have any access to hospitals or nearby emergency medical facilities
- Those who have liver, kidney, or heart problems
- Women who currently have an IUD
- Some who are suffering from bleeding disorders or severe adrenal gland problems
Effectiveness
The pill is very effective when used together, but it can depend on various factors like administration, the woman’s age, weeks of pregnancy, medication doses, and diet.
It’s worth noting that the effectiveness decreases as the weeks go by. It’s important to consult first with a doctor from PRC Charlotte if you’re considering abortion. Don’t take the pills if you haven’t had an ultrasound yet. When you’re making choices, it’s essential to understand everything about the pregnancy to make empowering choices and the costs involved.
How the Pill Works
If you’re going to take Plan A and B, they will work together to terminate your pregnancy. The first one is the Mifepristone, which will block the progesterone from forming a thick uterus lining. This causes the lining to break down and become menstruation, which will immediately terminate the pregnancy.
After about 24 to 48 hours, you take the second one, which is misoprostol. This will cause the contraction of the uterus to expel the uterine lining and the embryo.
Side Effects
Those who have undergone unsupervised medical abortion may experience cramping and bleeding for a few weeks. Women reported bleeding that lasted up to two weeks or more after taking the pills, and some are even passing blood clots. Other common side effects with these pills are the following:
- diarrhea
- vomiting and nausea
- having a headache and becoming dizzy
- hot flashes that can last long
Some women will be able to complete the process in just a couple of hours, while others may take days after taking the second medicine. It’s normal to experience cramps, spitting, and light bleeding at about four weeks after this. It’s worth noting that you’ll have a high chance of becoming pregnant once again following an abortion.
Pros
Women decide to continue a pregnancy or not, and they can choose which methods they are going to take. Pros of the pills include:
- They are effective early on
- No requirement for anesthesia
- This is going to be less invasive
- Some may feel that they have a miscarriage
- Not carrying the same risks as that of uterine perforation
- They cost less than surgeries
Disadvantages to Know
- These pills are not a hundred percent effective, and you can continue the pregnancy if your body doesn’t react to this accordingly. Most of the time, they can also result in infections. Those that failed to use this method are required to undergo surgery.
- Cramping and bleeding will last longer, and some experience a lot of headaches during this time.
- Some of these pills will require you to visit the doctor’s clinic more than once, and this is something to consider carefully.
- This can’t end ectopic or tubal pregnancies
Complications and Risks to Know About
It’s possible to experience complications and risks from these medications. The women may have a failed or incomplete abortion, which can cause serious infections. Generally, this cannot detect ectopic pregnancies, which can be dangerous in most cases. There’s also heavy bleeding involved and blood clots, so make sure that you can call the hospital’s hotline whenever you need help.
