Medical abortion is a method of abortion in the early stages, which does not require surgical intervention. Such an abortion is carried out using drugs that are taken orally in the form of tablets. This has a complex toxic effect on the woman's body, as a result of which the fetus dies and is rejected. Medical abortion is a fairly simple procedure and relatively safe (compared to surgery).
Medical termination of pregnancy
In the seventies of the last century, it became possible to interrupt pregnancy with the help of drugs quickly, efficiently and relatively safely for a woman's health.
In France, the substance mifepristone, which is an antiprogestin, has been developed. In Geneva in the early eighties, laboratory and practical research began. Already in the late 80s, France began to use the method of medical termination of an unwanted pregnancy using similar drugs.
Benefits of Medical Abortion
With medical termination of pregnancy, surgery is not expected. In addition, a woman can easily hide this from her loved ones if she does not want relatives or friends to not know about the procedure. Medical abortion is performed in the early stages: from the first day of delay to 6-7 weeks. At this time, the fetus is not well attached, and there are no pronounced hormonal changes. Interruptions at such an early stage can reduce stress for the body.
Also, in the absence of surgical intervention, the risk of infection, medical error, adhesions, injuries, the development of endometritis and many other gynecological complications is eliminated. And the procedure itself is painless. True, nulliparous women may experience discomfort, but pain relief is not required.
With medical abortion, the risk of contracting serious diseases (hepatitis, HIV) and the risk of secondary infertility are eliminated. There is no need to go to hospital, and the abortion itself is similar to heavy menstruation, so it is perceived by a woman as a natural process.
Description of procedure: how abortion occurs
The named procedure must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. For this reason, it is impossible to purchase pills for miscarriage in pharmacies without a prescription. Some drugs are sold only directly to medical institutions, so a woman should definitely consult a doctor if she decides to terminate an unwanted pregnancy with medication.
Medical abortion takes place in several stages. After detecting pregnancy, a woman should visit a gynecologist. A doctor performs a preliminary examination to make sure that the fetus develops in the uterus. Then the patient is asked to sign the relevant documents confirming her desire to terminate the pregnancy. The woman takes full responsibility.
Tests and pills
After setting the deadline, it is proposed to take tests: a smear from the vagina on the microflora, blood on the group and the Rh factor, Wasserman reaction. If the results are normal and there are no contraindications, then the doctor will issue the necessary drug. As a rule, these are three 200 mg tablets.
Two hours before taking the tablets and another two hours after you can not eat. In addition, the patient should be in the department for about two hours so that the doctors monitor the condition. Bleeding may occur at this time, so help will be needed immediately.
Within 24 hours, a miscarriage from the tablets will occur. The next visit to the gynecologist should take place 36–48 hours after taking the drug to terminate the pregnancy. At this time, you need to be careful about your condition. Any intense pain and heavy bleeding is an occasion to urgently contact your doctor.
Three days after the procedure, a control ultrasound is performed. If residues of the ovum are found in the uterus, surgical curettage may be necessary. The second control ultrasound and examination are appointed after 7-14 days. If necessary, the doctor will refer the patient to additional tests, for example, to determine hCG (pregnancy hormone) in the blood.
Dates for abortion
At the request of a woman, an abortion is done up to a maximum of 11-12 weeks of pregnancy. In the presence of medical and social (for example, if the pregnancy came as a result of rape) indications, interruption is possible for up to 23 weeks. After this, abortion cannot be done, and if there are indications in the medical plan, it is no longer an interruption, but premature birth is stimulated.
Medical abortion: timing
Medical abortion is possible until the 42-49th day from the first day of the last menstruation. The effectiveness of pills to cause a miscarriage is greater, the shorter the gestation period. After the 49th day, the effectiveness of drug interruption is significantly reduced, so that there may be a need for other methods (curettage of the uterine cavity, vacuum aspiration).
Miscarriage Pills
Drugs that are used for medical abortion are sold only by prescription or given by your doctor. What miscarriage pills are commonly used? These are substances such as mifepristone, prostaglandins and others. They are issued under different trademarks, so the name may be different.
One of the most effective pills for miscarriage (during pregnancy no more than 6 weeks) is "Misoprostol." The drug provokes uterine contractions and relaxes smooth muscles. The medicine can also be prescribed for erosion of the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer. It is unacceptable for use in breastfeeding, under the age of 18 years, with allergies and individual intolerance. Used with caution in diabetes, epilepsy, renal failure, coronary heart disease, and so on.
Pills that provoke a miscarriage with almost no side effects - Mifeprex. This remedy is well tolerated by women. You need to take it no later than 42 days after unprotected sex.
What other pills cause a miscarriage? For example, Pencrofton. The drug rarely causes complications, but this medicine is not sold in pharmacies. After taking Pencrton, the patient should be under the supervision of a doctor who will monitor the condition and can help in case of complications.
Together with Misoprostol, Mifepristone is used. The medicine causes contractions that lead to the death and rejection of the embryo. You can use the drug no later than 9 weeks. To take pills that cause a miscarriage in the early stages, it is recommended only under the supervision of a doctor. If there are no complications, then after a few days a control ultrasound is done to determine the success of the abortion.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception, which is used after unprotected sexual intercourse to interrupt a possible pregnancy, must be distinguished from medical abortion.
The most popular drug, but not guaranteeing a result, is Postinor. Effective in 85% of cases. There are two tablets in the medicine package, one is taken a maximum of 74 hours after an unprotected act, the second after 12 hours. In this case, the likelihood of a miscarriage from the tablets is significantly increased.
No later than seventy-two hours after unprotected sex, you can take Escapelle. This is a powerful tool, but there are situations when you need to take more than two tablets. It is better to immediately consult a doctor who will determine the desired dosage. The action of Escapelle is similar to Postinor. If you make a mistake with the dose, you can later encounter problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland or abnormalities in the endocrine system.
Contraindications to medical abortion
Miscarriage from pills is a serious stress for the body. Therefore, doctors categorically do not recommend this method of abortion in the presence of contraindications, the list of which is quite extensive:
- less than 18 years old and over 35;
- Conception on the background of taking contraceptives (oral) or intrauterine device ;
- recent use of antibiotics, steroids;
- the use of oral contraceptives for three months before conception;
- suspected ectopic pregnancy;
- kidney or liver failure;
- bronchial asthma and other serious problems with the respiratory system;
- heart and vascular diseases;
- anemia, hemophilia and other hemorrhagic pathologies;
- irregular cycle before pregnancy;
- various gynecological diseases;
- epilepsy;
- adrenal insufficiency;
- tendency to allergies;
- hypersensitivity to mifepristone.
Possible complications and consequences
About 8% of patients face a serious complication - incomplete hatching of the fetal egg. To complete the abortion in this case, surgical intervention is required (i.e. curettage of the cavity of the genital organ). Pain intensities of various intensities are possible. Soreness depends on the emotional state of the woman, sensitivity and characteristics of the body.
The possible consequences of a miscarriage from tablets are nausea and vomiting (usually the use of special drugs is not required), high temperature, which is caused by increased contractions of the uterus, diarrhea, severe bleeding, and the accumulation of blood clots in the uterine cavity.
Medical abortion is not completely harmless. Clinical trials and practical experience with the use of abortion pills confirm that this is not just an easy and safe alternative to surgical abortion, but a serious procedure. This is a toxic effect on a woman's body. As a result, the immune system is suppressed, and the body is vulnerable to infections and bacterial exposure. In addition, the reproductive system also needs time to recover.
Recovery after medical abortion
After a medical abortion, a woman is recommended to use contraceptives, because the next pregnancy can occur even before menstruation.
In exceptional cases, the pregnancy continues after interruption. To verify the effectiveness of the abortion, a control ultrasound diagnosis is performed. If, after an incomplete abortion, the woman decided not to interrupt the pregnancy, the fetus may have severe congenital pathologies.