Medical abortion: what you need to know about the procedure

Medical abortion – is one option for ending a pregnancy that can be chosen according to your personal circumstances and decisions.

We understand that making this decision may not be easy. But you can always rest assured that our experienced gynecologists are here to support you, create a safe environment around you, provide as much information about the procedure as you need, and answer your concerns.

Indications for medical abortion.

Social indications

In this case, the procedure is performed if the decision to terminate a pregnancy is made by a woman based on personal, social, or other motives.

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Medical indications

Medical abortion may be the safest and most painless tactic when a woman is indicated to terminate a pregnancy for medical reasons, such as:

Medical abortion may be the safest and most painless tactic when a woman has a medical indication to terminate a pregnancy.

• detection of genetic abnormalities of the embryo;
• acute infection dangerous for the fetus (toxoplasmosis, rubella, chickenpox, etc.);
• unintentional intake of drugs with teratogenic effect or high dose of radiation exposure (CT, X-ray or radiation therapy in early pregnancy).

In this situation, the physician is an independent consultant who should support any decision of the patient and provide the woman with full and correct information about the consequences of her choice.

Preparing for the procedure: what tests are taken for abortion

Before a medical abortion, the doctor may recommend certain tests to assess the general condition and minimize the risks of complications. Among the necessary tests are:

• General blood test to exclude anemia and inflammatory process;
• Determination of progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs to assess the state of the uterus, gestational age, and position of the fetal egg;
• STI tests (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis, HIV) to assess the risk of complications.

Stages of the Procedure

• After confirming the fact of pregnancy, making a decision to perform the procedure, preparation for medical abortion is carried out (laboratory diagnosis and control examination of the specialist).
• The woman signs up for a consultation with a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct a control consultation, tell how to take pills to terminate pregnancy and voice accompanying recommendations.
• The patient receives 2 pills to be taken in the next 24 hours. In the presence of the doctor, the patient drinks the first pill and is under the supervision of the specialist for at least 40 minutes.
  For the second pill, the patient can be sent home and remotely monitored by a specialist or remain in the hospital.
• After the recommended period of time, the woman takes the second pill. At about the same time, the process of rejection of the fetal egg begins, which is manifested by bleeding, pulling pains in the lower abdomen, weakness and other symptoms that resemble menstruation.
• During the period of active bleeding, a woman should monitor the amount of discharge and pay attention to the number of days of menstruation after medical abortion.
• In the next couple of days after taking the second pill, completing the protocol of medical abortion, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist for a control ultrasound of the pelvic organs.
• The doctor will examine the uterine cavity in detail, confirm the absence of a fetal egg, exclude the presence of pathologies. In the recommendations, the doctor will sound what painkillers are possible in a medical abortion and make a schedule of control examinations if necessary.
• The final stage of the procedure is a control consultation with a specialist to discuss further reproductive plans, the selection of contraception (if necessary) and the solution of related issues.

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Important!

If there is incomplete rejection of the fetal egg during the abortion process or if the gestational age exceeds the recommended limits for medical abortion, the physician may decide on vacuum extraction of the fetus. The feeling after a vacuum abortion is similar to that after a medical abortion. You can discuss the details of the procedure with your doctor during a consultation.

Symptoms after abortion: norm and pathology

Important!

Remember that each woman reacts individually to the procedure. The overall condition after medical abortion may also depend on the presence of chronic diseases, comorbidities, and even stress levels.

Normal symptoms after the procedure are:

• bloody discharge from the genital tract, in volume, color and other parameters resembling heavy menstruation;
• weakness;
• pulling pain in the lower abdomen, decreasing after taking painkillers.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms in the first 10 hours after the procedure:

• increased body temperature;
• impurities and/or putrid odor from the discharge;
• cutting increasing pain in the lower abdomen, which does not decrease after taking analgesics;
• episodes of loss of consciousness;
• chills, profuse sweating, shortness of breath, thirst;
• profuse bleeding from the genital tract, requiring replacement of hygiene products (pads, tampons, cups, etc.) more often than once every 50-60 minutes.

Recovering from the procedure

In the first weeks after the procedure, it is recommended to refrain from visiting saunas and swimming pools, active sex life and physical activity. Specialists recommend light yoga classes, walks in the fresh air, normalized sleep regime.

If you have active reproductive plans – it is recommended to visit a reproductologist together with your partner and discuss your further tactics of planning a pregnancy.

It is also worth noting that the timing of when menstruation begins after medical abortion is individualized for each woman. If you notice menstrual irregularities (delayed menstruation or regular bloody discharge) – consult a gynecologist for examination and treatment tactics.

It is also worth noting that the timing of menstruation after medical abortion is individual to each woman.

In conclusion

Every woman has the right to an abortion. We are here to support you in any decision you make, to provide you with maximum information about your health status and to offer comprehensive medical support.

To have a medical or vacuum abortion in a qualified medical facility with minimal risks to your health, you can in Kharkov, Kiev, and Lviv.

Please leave an application in the feedback form or contact us by phone +380 (68) 770-61-77!

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to substitute for such advice or treatment by a personal physician. All readers of this material are advised to consult with their physicians or qualified health care professionals. UAmedTOURS is not responsible for the possible health consequences of any person or persons reading the information contained in this educational content.