The Pregnancy Termination Pill; What To Know
A pregnancy termination pill is also known as the abortion pill. The abortion pill is typically taken within the first nine weeks of pregnancy. This article will answer various queries regarding the pregnancy termination pill. Let’s dig into it!
What Is The Pregnancy Termination Pill, And How Does It Work?
The pregnancy termination pill is a medication used to end a pregnancy. It is also known as the abortion pill. The abortion pill works by blocking the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is needed for a pregnancy to continue. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, and the pregnancy cannot continue.
What Are The Adverse Effects Of The Abortion Pill?
Side effects of the abortion pill may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cramping
- Bleeding
- Fever, chills
These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own.
In rare cases, more serious side effects may occur. These include:
- Formation of blood clots
- Severe infection
- Breast cancer
- Incomplete abortion
Who Can Take The Abortion Pill?
Most women up to nine weeks pregnant can take the abortion pill.
Women over nine weeks pregnant will have to administer the pregnancy termination pill differently.
New studies suggest that a mifepristone + misoprostol combination can induce abortion even if you’re 13 to 20 weeks pregnant. The results have shown an efficacy of 90%.
However, women who have certain medical conditions may not be able to take the abortion pill. These conditions include:
- Severe heart disease
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Allergy to mifepristone or misoprostol
- Bleeding disorders
- Steroid therapy
Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about whether or not you can take the abortion pill.
How To Use The Pregnancy Termination Pill?
The pregnancy termination pill (mifepristone) is taken by mouth to end a pregnancy. It works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for maintaining a pregnancy.
- Firstly, take the mifepristone 200 mg orally.
- You’ll have to keep the tablets in your mouth for 30 minutes.
- After 36 to 48 hours, administer the misoprostol vaginally and lie down for 30 minutes.
- Let the pills do their job. After this, you’ll experience cramps in your lower abdomen and start bleeding vaginally.
Cramping and bleeding are the usual effects of the pregnancy termination pill. These symptoms will go away in a week.
How Effective Is The Pregnancy Termination Pill?
If you’re considering terminating a pregnancy, you may wonder how effective the pregnancy termination pill is. The pregnancy termination pill is typically used up to 10 weeks after the last menstrual period. Recent data has shown that these pills are about 98% effective in terminating a pregnancy.
Is The Abortion Pill Right For Me?
There are a few things to consider when considering whether medical abortion is suitable for you.
- Consult with your doctor to ensure that you are eligible to take the pregnancy termination pill.
- Once you have consulted with your doctor and been cleared for a medical abortion, you should consider your reasons for wanting to terminate the pregnancy.
- If you are not ready to be a parent or are not in stable financial conditions, then a medical abortion may be the right choice for you.
- It is also essential to consider how you feel emotionally about the pregnancy and whether or not you feel like you can handle going through with an abortion.
Where Can I Get The Pregnancy Termination Pill Legally?
There are many ways to get the pregnancy termination pill legally. You can get it from a medical provider, a Counselor, or an online pharmacy; your best option will depend on your circumstances.
Getting Abortion Pills Over the Counter
You can get abortion pills over the counter anywhere in the US. However, an authentic prescription will be required.
Getting the Abortion Pills By Mail
You can also get the pregnancy termination pill through the mail using telemedicine services. This can be a convenient option if you live in a rural area or do not have easy access to a doctor.
Precaution: In some states, buying the abortion pill online is not legal, so check your state’s laws before ordering the pill.
Licensed Online Pharmacies Selling Abortion Pills
Following online pharmacies are providing online services for abortion care:
What Is The Difference Between The Abortion Pill And Emergency Contraception?
- The abortion pill is a medication that is taken to terminate a pregnancy.
- Emergency contraception (Plan B) is a medication that is taken to prevent a pregnancy from occurring.
What Medications Can Be Used As The Pregnancy Termination Pill?
Multiple medications can be used for pregnancy termination, though the most common is mifepristone.
Mifepristone works by blocking the hormone progesterone, essential for sustaining a pregnancy. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, and the pregnancy is expelled.
Other medications that can be used include:
- Misoprostol
- Methotrexate
What Is The Difference Between A Medical Abortion And A Surgical Abortion?
- A medical abortion, also known as an abortion pill, is a non-surgical method of terminating a pregnancy. Medical abortions can be done up to 10 weeks after the last menstrual period. The most common medication used for medical abortions is mifepristone.
- A surgical abortion is a procedure performed by a trained doctor or clinician and involves the removal of the pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
Who Should Not Take A Pregnancy Termination Pill?
Certain groups of women should not take the pregnancy termination pill. These include women who:
– Are pregnant and want to keep the baby
– Have an ectopic pregnancy
– Are you taking certain medications that may interact with the pill
– Have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place
– Have a history of heart disease or stroke
If you fit into these categories, you must speak with your doctor before taking the pregnancy termination pill.
Self-care At Home After Taking Pregnancy Termination Pill
You should start feeling better within a day or two after taking the pregnancy termination pill, but taking care of yourself is crucial. Here are some tips for self-care at home:
- Rest as much as possible. This will help your body recover from the medication.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy foods to help your body recover.
- Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting. This could cause bleeding or pain.
- If you have any bleeding, use pads or tampons as directed. Do not use a menstrual cup or anything else inside your vagina.
- If you have pain, take ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain reliever.
- If you have any questions or concerns, call your doctor or pharmacist.
What To Expect After Medication Abortion?
- Bleeding or spotting may linger for many days and be heavier than usual.
- Within a few hours of taking misoprostol, cramping (uterine contractions), and stomach discomfort.
- You COULD feel sick, have diarrhea, have hot flashes, feel a little lightheaded, or have a minor fever.
- Blood clots or grayish tissue may be seen.
Call your clinician immediately if you have concerns or problems after your medication abortion.
Some points to consider:
- For up to two weeks, refrain from inserting anything in your vagina (tampons, fingers, sex toys, penises — anything!) to help stave against infection.
- To prevent a false positive, wait at least two weeks following an abortion before taking a pregnancy test.
- In 4 to 8 weeks, your first menstrual period will return. It can be thicker than usual.
- After an early pregnancy, you can ovulate within a week or two before your period starts again.
Follow-up After A Medication Abortion
Once you have taken the abortion pill, following up with your healthcare provider is essential.
You will need to return to the clinic for a check-up 2-3 weeks after taking the medication.
During this visit, your healthcare provider will check to ensure that the abortion is complete and that you are healthy.
If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider. They will be able to provide you with support and guidance.
Conclusion
A pregnancy termination pill is a medication that can be taken to end a pregnancy. If you are considering taking a pregnancy termination pill, it is important to speak with your doctor first to make sure that it is the right decision for you.
(Written by Dr. Ebad Khan)
References
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