Early Pregnancy Termination Pill
The early pregnancy termination pill is a combination of medications that can end a pregnancy up to nine weeks after the first day of your last period. It’s also called medical abortion or medication abortion.
You can use this method for an early miscarriage or end an unplanned pregnancy. The early pregnancy termination pill is more effective and has fewer side effects than surgical abortion (also called vacuum aspiration). In this article, we are going to discuss what is are the best medical option to terminate abortion.
The Abortion Pill: Medical Abortion
The abortion pill, also known as medical abortion, is a safe and effective method of ending early pregnancy. In this procedure, mifepristone is given first to block progesterone and make the uterine lining thinner. Two days later, misoprostol is used to cause contractions that expel the pregnancy from your uterus.
The abortion pill works best within seven weeks after your last menstrual period (LMP). If you are more than nine weeks pregnant, you may need a surgical abortion instead.
Ending Pregnancy with Medications
Medically induced abortion is a safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy. It is also known as a medical abortion, which involves taking medications to expel your pregnancy.
One of the most common methods used for early abortion is called RU486 or Mifeprex, which consists of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. They work together to cause contractions that will empty your uterus, thereby ending your pregnancy.
What Is An Early Pregnancy Termination Pill?
An early pregnancy termination pill is a type of medical abortion. Medical abortions are safe and effective, and mifepristone and misoprostol are the most common options for ending a pregnancy. Mifepristone is taken orally, whereas misoprostol can be taken vaginally or buccally (under the tongue).
The length of your pregnancy will determine which option you can use—meaning that if you’re over nine weeks pregnant, you’ll need to take mifepristone instead of misoprostol alone. This is because mifepristone has a different effect on your body at this point in your pregnancy than it does during an earlier stage. In general, mifepristone and misoprostol work better together, even when you are earlier in the pregnancy.
How Does The Early Pregnancy Termination Pill Work, And How Effective Is It?
The early pregnancy termination pill (EPT) is a two-drug combination that can be used to end a pregnancy within the first nine weeks. It works by blocking the hormone progesterone and causing your uterus to shed its lining, which allows the pregnancy to pass out of your body.
The EPT is about 97% effective when used correctly within nine weeks of conception—that’s when most women realize they are pregnant and decide to terminate their pregnancies.
Suppose you take an early pregnancy test (either at home or in a doctor’s office) and find out that it is positive. In that case, time may be running out fast because only seven days are left before taking mifepristone can make it impossible for doctors.
What Does Mifepristone Combine With Misoprostol Look Like?
- Mifepristone and misoprostol are pills, so they come in a blister pack.
- A blister pack is a single unit.
- It has a foil backing to protect it from moisture, light, and air.
- It also has a plastic backing to hold the tablets together while inside the foil wrapper.
Who Should Not Have a Medical Abortion?
The Early Pregnancy Termination Pill is not for everyone. If you are pregnant and any of the following apply to you, then the early pregnancy termination pill may not be appropriate for your specific situation:
- Women at risk of an ectopic pregnancy or who have had one should not use this medication. An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants itself outside your uterus, usually in one of your fallopian tubes. This can be life-threatening and requires emergency care if it occurs during a surgical abortion procedure.
- Women who have a history of severe mental illness or psychosis should avoid using this medication because anti-nausea side effects can trigger psychotic episodes in some individuals (although this occurs less often than with other medications).
- In addition, if you experience depression during pregnancy, no evidence suggests taking misoprostol will reduce depression symptoms after giving birth—so we recommend talking with your doctor before making any decisions about treatment options like this!
- Women with liver disease or kidney disease should also avoid using misoprostol because it could increase their risk for serious liver damage and kidney failure due to dehydration caused by diarrhea after taking these pills (these complications are rare but possible).
- For example, suppose someone has hepatitis B. In that case, they should talk with their primary care provider before taking any medications since it may increase viral load levels within their body, leading to further complications. So always get expert advice before making decisions about medical treatments like these!
How Early Can I Take The Abortion Pill?
You can take the abortion pill up to 10 weeks pregnant. The abortion pill is safe and effective for abortions in this timeframe, but if you are more than 10 weeks pregnant, you will need a medical abortion.
These medications cause your body to release the pregnancy tissue naturally and safely, with little or no pain. Because they are so effective at ending pregnancies early on, they’re sometimes recommended as an alternative to surgical procedures that can be more expensive and less comfortable.
Getting Ready for a Medical Abortion
First; Take the Mifepristone Pill
Mifepristone is a medication that blocks the action of progesterone, a hormone essential to maintaining a pregnancy. It causes an early miscarriage and can only be used up to 49 days (7 weeks) after your last period when used alone
However, with the addition of misoprostol (or Cytotec), which causes uterine contractions that expel the embryo from your body, you’ll experience cramping and bleeding within 24 hours of taking mifepristone and can have most of the pregnancy removed over several days.
Second; Take Misoprostol 24-48 Hours Later
Misoprostol is taken orally as a single dose at any point during your menstrual cycle if you want to terminate an undesired pregnancy within 10 weeks from ovulation or if there are complications related to your health (such as cancer).
If taking misoprostol over two days isn’t possible for you due to scheduling conflicts or other reasons, ask about buccal tablets (pills placed inside your cheek instead of swallowed). Both methods are equally effective when taken correctly!
Risks to Ending Pregnancy with Medicine
In addition to the health risks that apply to all women, the following risks are specific to those seeking an early pregnancy termination pill:
- Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside your uterus, usually in one of your fallopian tubes. This can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention.
If you have a history of ectopic pregnancies or unexplained vaginal bleeding, contact your doctor before taking RU-486. If you believe you may be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy after taking mifepristone—which can happen because it causes contractions that can push an embryo through your cervix—contact your healthcare provider immediately.
- Bleeding (hemorrhaging)
As with any surgical procedure, there is some risk for excessive bleeding during or after dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion procedures. However, the risk of bleeding associated with mifepristone/misoprostol abortion is extremely low.
Follow up with Your Health Care Provider
- You will need to follow up with your healthcare provider within 1 week of taking the pills, who will perform an ultrasound to check if the abortion is complete.
- If not, you may be given another dose of medicines to finish the process.
- In some cases, you may have some bleeding and cramping during this time. This shouldn’t last longer than 4 days after taking the tablets and shouldn’t get worse than mild discomfort. If you experience severe pain or heavy bleeding (soaking through 2 maxi pads every hour for 2 hours in a row), call your doctor immediately or go to an emergency room for treatment!
When to Call the Doctor
Call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Heavy vaginal bleeding and clotting (passing large clots or tissue)
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
- Fever higher than 101 °F
Conclusion
If you are experiencing a pregnancy that is less than nine weeks and wants to end it, the early pregnancy termination pill may be the right choice. The abortion pill is effective and has been proven safe by many studies.
(Written by Dr. Ebad Khan)