MEDICAL ABORTION - What Is It

An Overview of Medication Abortion

A medical abortion, often known as medication abortion, is a process that involves the use of medically prescribed medications to end an undesired pregnancy. A standard abortifacient regimen consists of two drugs, Mifepristone and Misoprostol kit , either orally or vaginally. This pregnancy termination approach has been reported to be around 98 percent successful for pregnancies that have not reached seven weeks of gestation, and it is also regarded as safer because it does not involve surgery or anesthesia.

Reasons for a Medical Pregnancy Termination (MTP)

If a woman has conceived inadvertently or wants to finish an early miscarriage, she can only select MTP if:

She has no medical issues.

Have any congenital or hereditary illness risk

Due to a life-threatening issue, she is unable to continue the pregnancy

She is in the early stages of her pregnancy and does not want to have surgery or be sedated. 

MTP is NOT a safe option for women

Females experiencing pregnancy above 9 weeks duration. (Post start of the last menstrual cycle).

If she has an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus.

She has considerable anaemia, blood-clotting issues, an ovarian mass, certain heart, blood vessel, or lung illnesses, chronic adrenal insufficiency, or an uncontrollable seizure disorder.

She has an IUD or is on long-term corticosteroid therapy.

She is allergic to the drugs used in the process or is unable to have an abortion due to the medications utilized. 

Different MTP Protocols for Different Stages of Pregnancy

Medication-assisted abortion in the first trimester (before nine weeks of pregnancy or less)

·       Oral Mifepristone (Mifeprex): It suppresses progesterone, the hormone required for pregnancy maintenance, causing the uterine lining to disintegrate and so preventing embryo development.

·       Oral Misoprostol (Cytotec): It is a synthetic prostaglandin analogue that attaches to myometrial cells, causing severe contractions and tissue ejection via vaginal hemorrhage. The abortion tablets of Misoprostol (Cytotec) alone are capable of shunning pregnancy that is up to 9 weeks.

In 9 weeks of the beginning day of the last menstruation, misoprostol pills to be inserted in the vagina area, placed on cheek pouch, or beneath the tongue can be consumed: This method has fewer adverse results and the success rate is higher.

Surgical abortions in the second trimester (beyond twelve weeks)

For the evacuation of the fetus from the uterus, these in-clinic abortions need light sedation or general anesthesia. The dilatation and curettage (D & C) procedure is done to end a pregnancy after 16 weeks. 

Preparation for a Medical Abortion

Ultrasonography Test - To establish the viability of the pregnancy and for accurate pregnancy dates. It is also used to determine whether the pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy or a molar pregnancy, which is a tumor that has grown in the uterus.

Medical history and general health are assessed - using blood and urine testing.

Consult a gynecologist for an explanation of the treatment, its benefits and drawbacks, and any further problems. 

Medical abortion may pose the following risks:

·       Incomplete abortion- A continuing undesired pregnancy that may necessitate surgical termination.

·       Infection-risk symptoms include severe abdomen or back pain; less fever or chills that lasts more than a day; foul-smelling vaginal discharge; and not having a period after two months.

·       Allergic response - to drugs, as well as other side symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, and headache.

Recovery and Prospects

· Abdominal cramping and heavy and protracted vaginal bleeding - Heavy bleeding begins quickly after taking the second tablet. The quantity of bleeding, cramps, or discomfort experienced by women varies according to the number of weeks pregnant. Stay at home or at a convenient place for a few days.

· Have a relevant treatment supply on hand: including absorbent pads to stop the bleeding, acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain treatment, and a heated pad for cramps.

• Reduces the infection risk- by refraining from intercourse or making use of tampons for 2 weeks following the abortion.

· Make a follow-up visit- to assess the size of uterus, also vaginal bleeding intensity, and indications of infection.

Seek the advice of a competent counselor or therapist- To deal with the emotional and psychological implications of the abortion.