Medical Abortion

Medical Abortion
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy after implantation. Surgical abortions are done by placing an tool into the uterine cavity and applying suction. This procedure is called vacuum aspiration. RU-486 (mifepristone) is an anti-progestin pill which causes a medical abortion. It is sometimes called the “French abortion pill.” It blocks the effect of progesterone on the inside layer of the uterus. It is followed by taking a prostaglandin called misoprostol in 2 dayslater. Shortly thereafter 95% of women will abort. Complete information about the use of mifepristone to terminate a pregnancy will be available from your clinician when this type of abortion is formally accepted and available for women.

Advantages of abortion
• This type of abortion may be done in the office of any clinician without surgical procedure. This may mean better privacy.
• It is safe, effective and can be done without an device being placed into the uterus.
• No anesthesia is needed.
• Many women do not have harmful feelings after an abortion but instead feel relieved.
• No tool is placed into the uterus.

Disadvantages of abortion
• Cramping and pain may occur. Bleeding after treatment lasts an average of nine days.
• Some people may feel guilty at having ended the pregnancy.
• RU-486 can only be used early in pregnancy, up to about nine weeks from the last period.

How to decide
• If you are pregnant and did not plan to be pregnant, you have a extremely important decision to make. If you choose to carry on your pregnancy, stop drinking, start taking folic acid immediately, and start seeing a physician or nurse midwife right away. It may be a hard decision. Speak to your clinician or family planning clinic staff about your concerns. If you choose to have an abortion, ask them where to have one done safely.
• You should decide to do what you, yourself, feel is right. You may want to discuss this decision with your husband, partner, counselor, friend or family member. Or you may want to keep this decision to yourself.
• The earlier in pregnancy an abortion is done, the safer and less expensive it is for you.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, vagina, abortion, medical abortion, advantages of medical abortion, disadvantages of medical abortion, uterus, abortion pill