What you need to know about medical abortion

This topic can be a sensitive and personal matter for many people. And some people hesitate to talk about it. But it is very important to know the correct medical information about this. So today, let's talk about ending a pregnancy with pills, or what we medically call 'Medical Abortion'.

Simply put, what is 'Medical Abortion'?

This is a non-surgical method of terminating an early pregnancy using specially prescribed pills. Two main types of medication are used in this. They are mifepristone and misoprostol .

Imagine, our body has a hormone that is essential for maintaining a pregnancy, and it's called progesterone .

• The first medication (Mifepristone): This stops the progesterone hormone I mentioned from working. When this hormone is gone, the uterine wall becomes thin and the pregnancy can no longer survive.
• The second medication (Misoprostol): This causes the uterus to contract, causing bleeding and pain, and expelling the contents of the uterus.

Some people turn to this method because it is not a surgical procedure. However, this can only be done in the first few weeks of pregnancy. If the pregnancy is very late, your doctor may discuss other methods, such as a surgical procedure called a D&C (Dilation and Curettage) .

Why would someone make a decision like this?

This is a very personal and complex decision. This decision may vary depending on the circumstances of a person's life.

• Parents may make this decision when they learn that their baby has a congenital or inherited disease .
• Sometimes it can be due to an unexpected pregnancy.
• Also, in cases where the baby has died in the womb but has not left the body (we call this a 'missed abortion'), doctors also use these same medications to remove those tissue fragments.
• If there is any risk to the mother's life due to the pregnancy, this is also done on medical advice.

Who is this method not suitable for?

As with any medical treatment, this is not for everyone. It is essential to discuss your complete health history with your doctor to make sure this is safe for you. This method is not safe at all if you have the following conditions:

How does this process happen?

This is a multi-step process, and everything happens under the supervision of your doctor.

Step 1: Doctor's appointment and preparation

First you need to see a doctor. Here's what will happen:

• A urine or blood test will confirm whether you are actually pregnant.
• An ultrasound scan is performed to determine exactly how many weeks pregnant you are.
• This entire process, its risks and side effects will be explained to you in detail.

Step 2: Taking medication

It is very important here to follow the doctor's instructions exactly .

1. First pill (Mifepristone): This pill is usually given to you in front of the doctor. After this, you can go home. Some people may experience a small amount of bleeding after this, but most people don't feel anything.

2. Second Pill (Misoprostol): This second pill should be taken 24 to 48 hours after taking the first pill. It can be placed inside the mouth and allowed to dissolve, or inserted into the vagina. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to do this.

Step 3: Process Occurrence

It's after taking the second pill that you start to feel a lot. You can expect these things:

• Stomach pain (cramping) and bleeding begin between 1 and 4 hours after taking the medicine.
• Over the next few hours, there will be severe abdominal pain and heavy bleeding with blood clots . This will feel like a very heavy period.
• Some people may experience a slight fever, chills, nausea, and stomach upset for about a day.

It's important to rest in a comfortable, safe place during this time. It's a great help if you have someone you trust with you. Keep a hot water bottle handy to help with the pain, and take painkillers (such as ibuprofen) as recommended by your doctor.

What happens after treatment?

Although heavy bleeding and pain will subside within a few hours, you may experience light bleeding for a few days or weeks, similar to a normal period. Use sanitary pads during this time. This will allow you to monitor how much bleeding you have.

The most important thing is to go for a follow-up appointment with the doctor. This may be in about two weeks. There, they will do a test (a scan or blood test) to confirm that the pregnancy has completely ended.

What are the risks and benefits?

This method is about 98% successful and safe when done under proper medical supervision.

Advantages:

• This can be done in the very early stages of pregnancy.
• Since there is no surgery, there are no risks associated with it.
• You can undergo this process in a comfortable, private environment (like at home).
• You can keep the people who give you the support you need close to you.

Risks (rare, but important to know):

• Miscarriage: Sometimes the pregnancy may not complete. Or some tissue may remain in the uterus. In that case, a D&C may be necessary.
• Heavy bleeding: Bleeding that is too heavy to stop.
• Infection: Signs of an infection include a foul odor from the vagina and a fever lasting more than a day.
• Allergies to medications.

When to see a doctor immediately

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) .

This process can affect you both physically and mentally. It's normal to feel a variety of emotions, including happiness, sadness, guilt, and stress. If you need someone to talk to, talking to a trusted friend, family member, or a mental health counselor (therapist) can be very helpful. Your doctor can also help you with this.