When you take Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills to end an early pregnancy, it is safe, effective, and non-invasively taking care of an unplanned conception. These pills are FDA-approved, which can be taken up to 12 weeks of gestation. With the at-home abortion pills, many women find a convenience, secure, and budget-friendly way to handle their unplanned pregnancies.
What Are Mifepristone and Misoprostol Pills?
Let us begin with the action mechanism of these medicines:Mifepristone: This is an anti-progesterone medication, taken on day 1 of the abortion process. With 200mg strength, the anti-hormone action causes the endometrial lining to shed. As a result, the pregnancy tissues do not stay attached to the uterus wall, ending the conception.
Misoprostol: This prostaglandin medication is taken 24 to 48 hours after Mifepristone either inserted in the vagina, or consumed buccally or sublingually. You need at least 4 x 200mcg pills for a complete abortion. These pills lead to cervical dilation and uterine contractions to empty the uterus. The pregnancy exits via heavy vaginal bleeding.
What Are the Things to Consider for Abortion Pill Process?
Here are the things to remember whenever you use Mifepristone and Misoprostol pill combination:
- While the pills have a success rate of 95-98%, it only works for a pregnancy in the initial 12 weeks of gestation. The pregnancy should be located within the uterus.
- Mifepristone can end the pregnancy but not expel it. So, you will require Misoprostol pills to remove the conception products from the system.
- After 2 weeks of the procedure, visit a clinic for an ultrasound scan pregnancy test to check if the uterus vacated properly.
- If leftover pregnancy parts are noticed in the womb, the doctor may suggest a surgical abortion, or additional Misoprostol doses to expel the remains.
What Happens After Taking Mifepristone and Misoprostol?
Here are the common expectations on using abortion pills:
- Abdominal Cramping and Pain: The uterine contractions push the pregnancy contents out of the uterus. However, this process can cause moderate to intense cramping, shooting pain in the abdomen and around. You can use over-the-counter pain meds, apply a hot water bag or heating pad for relief.
- Heavy Vaginal Bleeding: As the endometrial lining sheds, the un-implanted pregnancy tissues and the uterine lining together flow out of the uterus via vaginal bleeding. The flow is heavier than a period and you may also notice large blood clots that contain pregnancy portions in clusters or clumps.
Common Side Effects and Warning Signs
Some of the other common side effects (mild and temporary) to Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills are headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, tiredness, mild fever for a short time, and dizziness. However, unusual symptoms require medical attention. These include:
- Soaking 2 or more large-sized sanitary napkins for the consecutive 2 hours. This may indicate excessive heavy bleeding.
- Signs of infection are foul-smelling vaginal discharge, a high fever lasting for over 24 hours, and severe chills or weakness.
- Severe abdominal pain at one side may signify an ectopic pregnancy.
- Fainting spells or extreme dizziness also require medical attention.
How Soon Will I Recover From a Medical Abortion?
After taking Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills, usually the pregnancy terminates within a week. Here is how the recovery timeline looks like:
The First 2 Weeks: Your body is getting back to its pregnancy-free condition and healing gradually. Mild side effects may still last but the hormone levels are normalizing. It is important to avoid exercising, but eat nutritious food, and drink enough water at this stage.
The Following Weeks: The bleeding turns lighter and turns to spotting by week 2-4. Do not use tampons and menstrual cups. Avoid douching and vaginal intercourse to limit infection. Fertility may return, so you need to use birth control if sexually active. By week 4-6, you must recover completely with hormone levels bacl to normal and end to abortion bleeding.
Conclusion
For a safe and non-surgical abortion, Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills are idea. These are available not just at clinics and authorized stores, but on telemedicine platforms and virtual pharmacies as well. You must follow guidance of a healthcare professional for using these abortion meds successfully to end an early pregnancy. Keep in mind the self-care tips and precautions to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the common FAQs about medication abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills:
1.Why should I take Mifepristone and Misoprostol?
If you want to end a pregnancy at home in privacy, Mifepristone and Misoprostol are the most reliable medicines for this purpose. Make sure to check for pregnancy and its location beforehand, as well your medical eligibility before starting the procedure.
2. How long does the abortion bleeding last?
For most, the bleeding continues lightly for 2 to 4 weeks. But while the uterus is emptying, the flow is heavy and contains large blood clots. It is best to keep a check on the bleeding and use large sanitary pads instead of menstrual cups or tampons.
3. Are there any permanent side effects?
No, there are no permanent side effects. However, some temporary ones are dizziness, headaches, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, heavy vaginal bleeding, abdominal cramps and pain, and mild fever for a few hours. If you notice any unusual signs, seek emergency care.
4. When should I follow-up with a doctor?
After 2 weeks of completing the abortion pill course, a pregnancy test is important. The perfect results are found through an ultrasound scan of the whole abdomen. It shows if the uterus is empty or has pregnancy remains.
5. Can I get pregnant in future after using abortion pills?
Yes, your future pregnancy is at no risk on taking Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills. Some females ovulate in 8-11 days after a successful pregnancy termination. Others may ovulate in 2-4 weeks or so. You must use birth control during sexual intercourse to protect yourself from an unplanned pregnancy.