When does medical abortion begin? Medical termination of pregnancy - effectiveness and risks

Abortion with pills, or as it is also called medical abortion (pharmabortion), is the termination of pregnancy with the help of special medications, in particular Mifegin tablets. Medical termination of pregnancy is an excellent alternative to surgery. Medical termination of pregnancy (abortion with mifegin tablets) is highly effective, it reaches 95-98% when abortion is performed with tablets in the early stages (max. 63 days from the first day of the last menstruation or up to 8 weeks of pregnancy). Medical termination of pregnancy can be used at a later stage, but its effectiveness will be lower.

Our article will tell you How does medication interruption occur?. Abortion, or as it is also called medical abortion (pharmabort), is the termination of pregnancy with the help of special medications, in particular mifegin tablets. Medical termination of pregnancy is an excellent alternative to surgery. Medical termination of pregnancy with mifegin significantly reduces the risk of various complications that are not uncommon during surgical intervention, it has a milder effect on the body, and in a psychological sense, medical termination of pregnancy with mifegin is much easier to tolerate. Abortion with Mifegin tablets or medical termination of pregnancy with Mifegin is widely used not only in Russia, but also abroad. Medical termination of pregnancy or abortion with mifegin tablets is a relatively new method, but it has already proven its effectiveness. And due to the fact that abortion with Mifegin tablets has a very gentle effect on the female body, in some cases this method of medical termination of pregnancy is the only possible option.
Medical termination of pregnancy (abortion with mifegin tablets) is highly effective, it reaches 95-98% when abortion is performed with tablets in the early stages (max. 63 days from the first day of the last menstruation or up to 8). Medical termination of pregnancy can be used at a later stage, but its effectiveness will be lower. An unsuccessful result during an abortion with pills, in this case, is possible in 2-5% and depends on many factors, mainly on the state of health of the woman, her health. Therefore, when carrying out a medical abortion, it is important to undergo a full examination and tests. Abortion with pills is completely safe for, unlike surgical intervention, medical termination of pregnancy does not injure the mucous membrane and does not have a negative impact on the reproductive function of a woman.

Abortion with pills is carried out using the drug Mifegin, the effect of which is to reject the fertilized egg. The fact that medical termination of pregnancy with mifegin is safe is evidenced by the fact that after abortion with pills, the possibility of fertilization is restored in the first menstrual cycle.

Medical termination of pregnancy

Any termination of pregnancy, including medical termination of pregnancy, can cause complications. Therefore, you should not insist on medical termination of pregnancy if the gynecologist recommends another method for you, because medical termination of pregnancy has its own indications and contraindications.

Why is abortion harmful?

During an abortion, there are two types of effects on a woman’s body: mechanical and hormonal. Mechanical effects during abortion (dilation of the cervix and curettage of the cavity) can always lead to damage, which is then very difficult to correct (and sometimes cannot be corrected at all). But the hormonal effect does not leave its mark on the body - such disorders are also difficult for a woman, despite the fact that enough drugs have now been developed to restore normal hormonal levels.

Medical termination of pregnancy: benefits

Medical termination of pregnancy allows you to terminate a pregnancy at very early stages of pregnancy, so hormonal stress on the body is minimal; The most effective medical abortion is up to 4 weeks, when the fertilized egg is still weakly attached to the uterus and strong hormonal changes have not occurred in the woman’s body,
can be used immediately after pregnancy is detected,
does not require anesthesia and gross surgical intervention,
eliminates the risk of complications such as infection, adhesions, trauma to the uterine cavity, development of endometritis,
the risk of anesthetic complications is eliminated,
the risk of developing secondary infertility is excluded,
there is no risk of contracting viral infections (hepatitis, HIV),
avoids the problem of Rh conflict between mother and fetus in Rh negative women,
practically no different from heavy menstruation and is psychologically perceived as a natural process,
does not require hospitalization,
psychologically easier to bear.

Medical termination of pregnancy: what happens in a woman’s body

As a result of blocking progesterone, the capillaries in the uterine lining are destroyed and it is rejected. In addition, as a result of the effects of mifepristone, there is an increase in the concentration of special substances - prostaglandins, which cause contractions of the uterus, contribute to the termination of pregnancy and the separation of the fertilized egg, as well as the softening and expulsion of the fertilized egg. To enhance the effect of mifepristone (increase uterine contractility), prostaglandins are additionally administered 36-48 hours after taking mifepristone.

Medical termination of pregnancy: cost

The cost of medical abortion is higher than a conventional abortion. This is due to the high price of drugs for medical abortion. The cost also depends on which brand of drug you choose.
Medical termination of pregnancy: indications

medical termination of pregnancy up to 6 weeks;
emergency contraception as a prevention of unwanted pregnancy after “unprotected” sexual intercourse.

Contraindications to medical abortion

Medical termination of pregnancy: contraindications

Inflammatory diseases of the genital organs;

Irregular menstrual cycle;

Uterine fibroids, endometriosis;

Suspicion of ectopic pregnancy;

The presence of scars on the uterus;

Anemia (anemia);

Severe diseases of internal organs (renal, liver and adrenal failure, severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, bronchial asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc.);

Age under 18 and after 35 years and smoking;

Long-term therapy with corticosteroids and drugs that reduce blood clotting (anticoagulants).

Medical termination of pregnancy: preparation

First, a complete examination of the patient is carried out to exclude possible contraindications, which includes:

Examination by a gynecologist;

Taking a smear to the degree of frequency;

For syphilis (RW) and HIV;

Ultrasonography.

After the examination and exclusion of contraindications, the woman is explained the essence of the method, how it will be carried out and possible complications.

How is medical abortion performed?

At an appointment with a gynecologist, a woman takes mifepristone tablets and is observed for one to two hours, after which she goes home, and after a few hours she begins to have minor spotting.

After two days, the woman comes back for an appointment and undergoes an ultrasound to determine whether the fertilized egg has been removed. If it does not go away, then she takes prostaglandin tablets. This time she is under observation for about 4 hours, then also goes home. After taking prostaglandin, bleeding becomes more abundant and resembles normal menstruation. They can continue for about 10-12 days.

After 12-14 days, an ultrasound examination is performed to check whether the fertilized egg has been completely removed.

Medical termination of pregnancy: complications

After taking mifepristone, you may experience a feeling of discomfort, weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and fever. All this usually goes away on its own.

During the egg separation process, severe pain and bleeding may occur. If the bleeding is severe and started at home, then you need to call an ambulance.

Sometimes an incomplete abortion occurs, in which case the remaining fetal egg is removed instrumentally (vacuum aspiration or curettage).

Medical termination of pregnancy eliminates mechanical damage to the uterus, but does not exclude the possibility of developing functional disorders caused by changes in hormonal levels.

Medical termination of pregnancy in the early stages is a good remedy, but you must always remember that there are no absolutely safe abortions.

Medical termination of pregnancy: effectiveness.
The effectiveness of medical abortion depends on the duration of pregnancy and is:

98% - within 2-3 weeks,
93% - at 5 weeks,
89% at 6 weeks.

Precautions after medical termination of pregnancy.

Be physically active for two weeks.
Protect yourself from hypothermia and do not put your health at risk, minimize the likelihood of contracting acute respiratory infections, and eliminate stress.

Pay special attention to personal hygiene - frequent changes of underwear are necessary; for intimate hygiene, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

It is advisable not to have sex for at least 14 days after medical termination of pregnancy, and then consult with a doctor on the individual selection of contraceptives.

Violation of these rules can lead to serious complications.

Medical termination of pregnancy: adverse reactions

dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea),
weakness, dizziness, headache,
increase in body temperature,
abdominal pain,

The majority of patients (85%) do not have any complaints.

Rehabilitation after medical termination of pregnancy.

After medical termination of pregnancy, the patient should be under medical supervision for at least 3 menstrual cycles to assess the restoration of menstrual function and select a contraceptive method.

Medical abortion (medical termination of pregnancy)

Medical abortion has undergone numerous clinical trials in more than 20 countries.
Indications

The indication for medical termination of pregnancy is early intrauterine pregnancy (up to 5 weeks inclusive), confirmed by ultrasound data.

Advantages of medical abortion:

high efficacy, safety and acceptability;
no risk associated with anesthesia (pain relief);
no risk associated with surgery;
reducing the risk of developing an ascending infection;
eliminating the risk of transmission of HIV infection, hepatitis B and C, etc.;
the risk of anesthetic complications is eliminated;
absence of psycho-emotional trauma that occurs during surgical abortion (this is especially true when terminating the first pregnancy);
no adverse effect on reproductive function;
no need for hospitalization;
giving a woman the right to independently choose a method, high satisfaction with the method.

Medical abortion - Mifegin

How does medical abortion occur?

The action of mifepristone leads to detachment of the fertilized egg and its expulsion from the uterine cavity. According to world statistics, the effectiveness of medical abortion using mifepristone ranges from 95 to 98.21%. There are other drugs (Russian and Chinese) approved for use in Russia for medical abortion, but mifepristone, produced in France, is considered the best.

Medical abortion - mifepristone Medical abortion - mifepristone (structure)
Of course, like any method or means, this method of termination of pregnancy has its contraindications:

Hypersensitivity to mifepristone
Chronic adrenal insufficiency
Long-term glucocorticosteroid therapy
Hemorrhagic disorders (increased bleeding) and treatment with anticoagulants
Inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs
Uterine fibroids
The presence of severe forms of extragenital pathology.

Suspicion of ectopic pregnancy
Pregnancy that occurred during the use of intrauterine contraception or after discontinuation of hormonal contraception
Presence of scars on the uterus.

Precautions after pharm. abortion

Protect yourself from hypothermia and do not put your health at risk, minimize the likelihood of contracting acute respiratory infections, and eliminate stress.
Avoid heavy physical activity for two weeks.
Check body temperature daily.
Prevent constipation, monitor timely emptying of the bladder and intestines.
You cannot take a bath, douche, swim in a pool, river, etc. in two weeks. You are allowed to take a warm shower.
Use contraceptives during sexual intercourse before the onset of menstruation.
It is advisable not to have sex for at least 14 days after the termination procedure, and then consult a doctor on the individual selection of contraceptives.
You can take any medications only after consulting a doctor.

If your temperature rises or if you experience severe pain or excessive bleeding, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Violation of these rules can lead to serious complications

Complications

When performing a medical abortion, complications are very rare, much less common than with any other method of terminating a pregnancy. But the following side effects are possible:

Dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea);
weakness, dizziness, headache;
increased body temperature;
abdominal pain;
profuse bleeding from the genital tract.

Let's dispel fears:

1) Women who smoke do not have to worry - smoking does not in any way affect the possibility of having a medical abortion. But if you are over 35 years old and have cardiovascular problems, then it is better to abstain. To be more precise, a medical abortion can or cannot be performed by a doctor only after an examination.
2) Many are afraid of pain - it is no more than during normal periods.
3) Medical termination of pregnancy in no case leads to infertility.
4) There is no need to immobilize (bed rest); on the contrary, moderate movement or even light work is advisable to speed up the expulsion of the fetus.

If you nevertheless decide to have an abortion at an early stage of pregnancy, and you have a question about where it will be performed, do not waste precious time looking for the best (optimal) option - it is right before your eyes. In our medical center you can have an abortion (termination of pregnancy) with the highest possible efficiency for you.

Medical termination of pregnancy (pharmabortion) is not a method of birth control, but a serious medical procedure that can lead to various kinds of complications. Its essence lies in the fact that a woman must take hormonal pills at a set time to perform a medical abortion and provoke the expulsion of the fertilized egg from the uterine cavity.

According to WHO, such an abortion is recognized as the most gentle method, but it does not always give a guaranteed result. As the gestational age increases, the effectiveness of the procedure decreases significantly.

If a woman wishes to terminate a pregnancy, preference is always given to the most effective methods - medication, or (for example, curettage is ideal in the presence of a placental polyp).

Can I have a medical abortion at 7 weeks, 8 weeks or later? The best option is 14 days after the delay. The reason is that after 6 weeks the fertilized egg is already quite well attached to the wall of the uterus, so the likelihood of its preservation increases. For example, if a medical abortion is performed at 8 weeks, its effectiveness rarely exceeds 88%.

Contraindications and indications

There are no strict indications for medical abortion. The woman must decide for herself whether to continue or terminate the pregnancy.

Relative medical indications for its interruption are:

diseases that threaten the full development of the baby;
severe genetic, somatic, infectious diseases;
taking medications that can cause deformities and disrupt the full development of the fetus.

Social indications:

minor age;
rape;
absence of husband;
disability I or II in an existing child;
serving time in prison.

With such a fairly serious procedure as abortion, the main contraindications to terminating a pregnancy with the help of medications will be:

allergy to drugs used for abortion;
fibroma or;
severe renal or liver failure;
Availability ;
diseases of the blood coagulation system;
anemia;
taking blood thinners;
high blood pressure, etc.

What is the procedure

In the usual understanding, medical termination of pregnancy is not like an abortion: a woman comes to the clinic, takes pills under the guidance of a doctor, and then she simply begins to have heavy periods, during which the fertilized egg is expelled along with the blood.

Preparation

At the first appointment, the gynecologist explains to the woman all the contraindications, risks, possible complications and how a medical abortion is done in general terms, as well as what to expect after it.

Laboratory and instrumental diagnostics

Before taking this step and deciding on a medical, vacuum or other type of abortion, a woman must undergo a fairly large number of studies:

General (clinical) blood test , urine, (human chorionic gonadotropin), the level of which in the early stages is evidence of pregnancy. An ECG test is also taken for syphilis (RW).
Ultrasound . During an ultrasound examination, the presence of a fertilized egg in the uterus is confirmed, ectopic pregnancy, as well as tumor formations of the uterus and ovaries are excluded.
Examination by highly specialized specialists . Their consultation is necessary if a woman has any serious illnesses. It may also be necessary to adjust the intake of medications regularly taken by the patient in order for the drugs for medical termination of a developing pregnancy to be effective.
Checking the blood coagulation system . For this purpose, a coagulogram is usually prescribed, because if the blood does not clot well, then severe bleeding may occur after a medical termination of pregnancy.

Direct preparation for abortion

If during a medical examination and laboratory diagnostic examination no contraindications were identified, the doctor gives the following recommendations:

For a week, eliminate alcohol, smoking, taking anticoagulants and some other drugs.
On the day of taking the first dose of the drug, food should be easily digestible.
For the entire period of the abortion (3-6 days), care should be taken to ensure that if the woman’s condition worsens, someone will take care of her and run the household.

How is a medical abortion performed?

How is a medical abortion performed in a private or public clinic?

The procedure takes place in 3 stages:

At the doctor's office.
At home.
Follow-up visit to the doctor.

In the doctor's office, a woman who decides to have a medical abortion takes 3 tablets of mifepristone (600 mg) in the presence of a gynecologist, and then remains under his supervision for 2 hours.

Usually, before sending the patient home, the doctor gives her misoprostol tablets containing prostaglandin, leaves her his contact information and schedules the next visit to the clinic. This is done because he needs to observe how the woman’s abortion proceeds, whether the medications have the desired effect, and whether possible complications develop.

At home, after 1.5-2 days, the patient takes 2 tablets of misoprostol (400 mcg), which increases contraction of the uterine muscles. During the period of termination of pregnancy, some women experience severe pain. In this case, you should use medications to relieve pain.

How many days can a medical abortion last? On average, up to 6-7 days. It is at this time that blood loss is most significant and discharge is abundant.

A follow-up examination is scheduled on days 3 and 7-14. If, according to ultrasound and hCG analysis, the pregnancy has persisted, vacuum aspiration or classic curettage is performed.

What to do after a medical abortion

If a woman who has recently given birth had a medical abortion, until how many weeks can she breastfeed? According to most experts, you need to refrain from breastfeeding for 2 weeks, because the drugs used for medical abortion pass into breast milk, and their effect on the baby’s body has not been studied.

In general, the following recommendations should be followed:

Avoid strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting during bleeding.
For the first month after a medical abortion, in case of menstruation, use only pads and temporarily abandon tampons and menstrual trays.
During the entire period of vaginal discharge, you should not take a bath, go to the pool, etc.
Until how many weeks is sexual rest indicated? Sex after a medical abortion should be postponed for 3 weeks - 1 month. After termination, a new pregnancy can occur immediately with the resumption of sexual activity. Therefore, it is important to use.

It is impossible to predict how the reproductive system will behave after a medical termination of pregnancy has been performed: for some, during the next menstruation, the chest and lower abdomen hurt more than usual, for others, menstruation lengthens, etc.

In general, changes in the cycle are rarely observed, and if the abortion took place without complications, then the pattern of blood discharge during menstruation after it is the same as it was before the medical termination of pregnancy.

Complications

Although medical abortion is considered the least dangerous procedure, it can lead to a number of complications:

Failed abortion . This condition occurs if the procedure is performed for more than 6 weeks, as well as when taking medications that reduce the effectiveness of mifepristone.
Incomplete abortion . In this case, fragments of the fertilized egg remain inside the uterus, which can lead to various negative consequences, including death. An incomplete abortion can be suspected when bleeding suddenly stops, when a fragment of the fertilized egg clogs the cervical canal, as well as when there is a sharp increase in discharge during termination of pregnancy with the help of medications.
Failure in the hormonal system . Pregnancy is a hormonal change in the body. Therefore, even in the early stages, its interruption causes a failure of this system, which can be perceived by the body as a stressful state. For example, as a result of this, after an abortion performed with the help of medications, breast pain may occur, menstruation may be disrupted, or chronic diseases may worsen.
Complications associated with taking medications . After taking medications during a medical abortion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, headaches, fever, general weakness, and hot flashes occur. Dizziness, a sharp drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and allergic reactions are also possible.
Uterine bleeding . Heavy bleeding can lead to significant blood loss, including loss of consciousness. Therefore, if bleeding at home during a medical abortion increases and exceeds the expected volume of blood released, you should immediately contact your doctor.

Can a placental polyp occur after a medical abortion? Unfortunately, yes, if all particles of the fertilized egg have not been removed.

How to avoid complications

To avoid complications, including the appearance of a placental polyp and excessive bleeding, you should undergo a thorough examination on the eve of medical termination of pregnancy. At the same time, there is no need to hide the facts of the use of any drugs, the presence of a placental polyp after a previous medical abortion, as well as serious diseases that may become a contraindication to the procedure.

The decision to terminate a pregnancy by medication or any other method should be weighed, taking into account all the pros and cons, and not made based on emotions. It is also important to take into account the possible psychological consequences.

Pros and cons of medical abortion

Obvious advantages compared to other types of abortion:

minimal trauma to the walls of the uterus;
abortion can be performed already from the first or second day of a missed period;
rapid recovery;
when carried out early, the effectiveness is 95%.

Possible disadvantages of the procedure:

high risk of bleeding;
preservation of pregnancy in 5-22% of cases (depending on the duration of pregnancy);
a large number of contraindications.

What is better for a placental polyp: medical abortion or curettage? In this case, curettage, because during this procedure it will be removed.

Medical termination of pregnancy is not a method of birth control - there are contraceptive methods for this. However, if certain circumstances arise as a result of which a woman decides to have an abortion, this method will be the most gentle. To minimize the risk of possible complications, you must undergo an examination and follow all doctor’s recommendations.

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Despite the huge selection of contraceptives, the problem of unplanned pregnancy is extremely relevant today. Few modern families actually plan for the birth of a child. It is for this reason that abortion services are constantly in demand.

What is medical abortion?

The newest method of termination of pregnancy is medication, or as it is also called, pharmabortion. It is performed in a non-surgical manner, which is why it has earned its recognition and popularity. However, this type of abortion has its own peculiarity - it can only be performed in the early stages, up to six weeks of pregnancy.

Medical abortion: how it works. Basic moments

Due to the presence of contraindications to the procedure and the possibility of danger to life, medical abortion is possible only under the strict supervision of a doctor. It will help assess the woman’s condition and the absence of contraindications; in addition, when purchasing a medicine, you will be required to provide a prescription from the attending physician.

It takes place under the influence of a medical drug that stimulates the process of embryo rejection and cleansing of the uterine cavity.

General contraindications

The procedure has its own characteristics and contraindications, the presence of which excludes any type of termination of pregnancy, including medical abortion. How the pregnancy is going, the woman’s well-being and other features - everything should be taken into account. The procedure is excluded in the following cases:

In the acute form of an infectious disease.
In the presence of an inflammatory process in the body, including in the intimate area.
When diagnosing ectopic pregnancy.

If one of the above contraindications is present, it is impossible, and the pathological process must be treated. Otherwise, the risk of complications increases greatly.

Contraindications for medical abortion

This type of abortion has its own contraindications:

Intolerance to substances included in the drug. In such a situation, your doctor will be able to recommend another remedy that is right for you.
Having problems with the kidneys and liver.
Serious heart and vascular diseases.
Anemia.
Breastfeeding, since substances are absorbed into the blood and pass into breast milk.
In a situation where protection was provided for a long time using oral contraceptives, and their use was stopped immediately before pregnancy.
Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis, gastroduodenitis, ulcer).
The presence of a scar on the uterus.

Preparing for the abortion procedure

To successfully complete the procedure, a woman must contact her doctor and strictly follow his requirements and advice. At the first appointment, the doctor will tell the woman how a medical abortion works. The patient will need to try to establish the exact date of conception, undergo an ultrasound examination to exclude ectopic pregnancy, and also undergo a series of tests.

The patient should disclose all chronic diseases to prevent the risk of complications.

A day or two before the abortion, you should avoid drinking alcohol and refrain from smoking. Women who smoke more than ten cigarettes a day should remember that the effect of the drug will be reduced.

What is this procedure?

It is carried out in a hospital in several stages.

The patient is given two tablets of the drug, after which the woman remains under the supervision of medical staff in the hospital for a certain period of time (from two to four hours). How a medical abortion works should be assessed by a doctor. In the absence of side effects, drug rejection (vomiting) and complications, the patient goes home the same day. The drug (Mifepristone) helps to terminate pregnancy. It prepares the uterus for expulsion of the embryo. It softens, the tone increases, a process occurs as before the onset of menstruation.
After two days, the client returns to the clinic to undergo the next stage. She receives another type of drug (Misoprostol) that helps the body rid itself of the fetus. The patient is under the supervision of medical staff for at least two hours from the moment the procedure begins (medical abortion). How the process goes should be assessed by a specialist. After the examination, the patient can go home. At this stage, the fetus is expelled, which may be accompanied by bleeding and pain.

Currently, there are many different ways to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, but in most cases, such an operation, like any surgical intervention, entails a large number of unpleasant complications. But in addition to the operation as such, there is another way to perform an abortion, namely a medical abortion, or a pill abortion - termination of pregnancy through medications. Below we will look in detail at how a medical abortion works.

For the most part, this is the chemical effect of the drug on the body, so the whole essence of such an abortion comes down to the procedure of taking artificial steroid substances - antiprogestins. Medical abortion occurs in the form of menstruation, or rather, the drug suppresses the development of trophoblast and leads to rejection of decidual tissue, which in turn causes uterine bleeding, i.e. menstruation, which is an termination of pregnancy. Thus, medical abortion is quite painless, although this largely depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Stages

Medical abortion consists of several stages.

The first stage is an examination to determine the exact duration of pregnancy, because this type of abortion is limited to 42-49 days (or 6-7 weeks) from conception. The patient must undergo the following examinations: examination by a gynecologist, vaginal smear for flora, hepatitis C and B, ultrasound, RW, HIV test, as well as blood group, Rh factor for those who are pregnant for the first time. Next, you will select the means for the operation.
The second stage is the actual procedure for taking the drug. This stage has two stages: the period from taking the drug to the first clinical manifestations - from 36 to 48 hours and the main period, which occurs in the form of menstruation, which may be slightly higher than usual in intensity and duration. At the beginning of the second period, the patient is again given the necessary medications, and for some time she is under the supervision of a doctor. The effect of the drug begins 1.5 - 2 hours after administration and a miscarriage occurs. The intensity and duration of bleeding directly depends on the stage of pregnancy. If a medical abortion is performed early, up to 3-4 weeks, then for most women it proceeds like normal menstruation. But at this stage, some complications are possible that require the intervention of a gynecologist, for example, there may be excessive bleeding, requiring curettage of the uterine mucosa.
And finally, the third stage - 12-14 days after taking the drug. At this stage, the gynecologist examines the patient and performs an ultrasound. This examination is necessary to check the complete absence of fetal particles in the uterus, i.e. make sure the miscarriage is complete. Otherwise, surgery is performed.
After a medical abortion, the patient must remain under medical supervision for at least 3 months. The condition of the uterus should normalize over this period of time. In addition, after such an intervention, the immune system is greatly weakened and requires increased attention. There are only three of them, but each of them is very important, not one should be neglected. Your health may deteriorate, your temperature may rise, and various discharges may appear. In this case, you should consult a doctor.

Advantages

The World Health Organization has recognized medical abortion as one of the safest ways to terminate a pregnancy, but no matter what the abortion is, it is in any case an intervention in the body and has a detrimental effect on a woman’s health. There is a possibility of pregnancy after such an abortion after 2-3 weeks, although this is unlikely. After a medical abortion, the gynecologist prescribes the most suitable contraceptives. But it is not recommended to plan a new pregnancy for six months after this abortion, since the effect of the drug may in some way affect the development of the embryo. However, the most successful outcome of a subsequent pregnancy is observed precisely after a medical abortion.

Medical abortion has several different options, which differ from each other only in the selection of drugs. The most common drugs are “Mifegin” (made in France) and “Mifepristone” (made in Russia); drugs such as “Pencrofton” and “Postinor” (made in Russia) are also known.

Most abortion clinics use the drug Mifegin. It is not commercially available and is contraindicated for independent use. But such an option for terminating pregnancy as “Postinor” is a very common means for use without medical supervision. This drug is called an emergency form of contraception and is used not during pregnancy, but after sexual intercourse without contraception or if another method of contraception has not worked. Postinor should be used immediately after such sexual intercourse; it is absolutely useless 2 days after sexual intercourse and is not considered a reliable method of protection.

Finally, we can say that the safest and most effective method of getting rid of an unwanted pregnancy is direct medical abortion. This method, compared to others, is less dangerous for a woman’s subsequent pregnancy, there is no possibility of infection, and, among other things, eliminates the need for both general and local anesthesia. But we must not forget that this type of abortion should be carried out only with the help of certified high-quality drugs and under the supervision of experienced specialists.

Not all ladies are delighted with the news of an upcoming pregnancy. There are many reasons for this, ranging from unplanned conception to poor health. To get rid of an unwanted pregnancy, today there are several ways. Medication is considered the safest. This method eliminates major surgical intervention. It is better tolerated both physically and psychologically. In our article we will talk about how medical termination of pregnancy occurs. You will also be presented with information about possible contraindications and consequences of pharmacological abortion.

Description of the procedure

A medical or pharmacological abortion is a procedure aimed at ending an unwanted pregnancy without major surgery. It is carried out with the help of certain drugs. Their action is based on blocking the production of progesterone. This hormone is produced in a woman’s body and is responsible for maintaining pregnancy. After taking the pill, a spontaneous miscarriage occurs.

Medical abortion, medications for this procedure and its implementation - all these issues have been discussed by doctors for a long time. However, only since the end of the last century has there been a real opportunity to carry out pharmacological abortion effectively and relatively safely for a woman’s health. Specialists from France have developed the drug Mifepristone, which belongs to the group of antiprogestins. In the early 80s, large-scale research into this drug as an abortion medication was launched in Geneva. A few years later, they began to put it into practice in France.

Numerous medical studies show that women prefer pharmacological abortion for a number of reasons. Firstly, there is a fear of surgery. Secondly, this method allows you to hide an unwanted pregnancy from loved ones.

Advantages of pharmacological abortion over surgical abortion

Medical termination of pregnancy, the timing of which is described below, has a number of significant advantages. We have already mentioned some of them earlier. What other positive aspects are worth paying attention to?

No need to take painkillers.
Fast recovery period.
The possibility of damage to the uterine cavity, the development of adhesions or other gynecological complications is excluded.
Medical abortion resembles heavy periods, so psychologically a woman perceives it as a natural process.
There is no need to go to the hospital.
The risk of contracting viral diseases (AIDS or hepatitis) is eliminated.

To find out all the nuances of how medical abortion occurs, it is better to consult a gynecologist. The specialist will answer your questions and give useful recommendations.

Acceptable deadlines

Pharmacological abortion can be performed until the 6th week of pregnancy, counting from the first day of the last menstrual period. The effectiveness of the procedure increases noticeably when used in the early stages. Otherwise, other interruption techniques (eg, vacuum aspiration or surgery) may be necessary.

What drugs are used?

The doctor selects medications for the procedure. At the same time, he must take into account the individual characteristics of the female body. The drugs used today can be divided into two conditional groups. The first includes “Postinor” and “Escapelle”. They are used for emergency contraception.

"Postinor" is available in tablet form. Its active ingredient is levonorgestrel. Once in the body, it causes certain changes in the endometrium, interfering with the process of egg implantation. On the other hand, levonorgestrel suppresses ovulation. According to the instructions, Postinor must be taken immediately after unprotected sexual intercourse has occurred. First you need to take one pill, and after 12 hours - the second. During the first few hours, its effectiveness is 95%. Within a day, this figure drops to 58%.

Escapelle has a similar effect, but contains a higher dose of levonorgestrel. Therefore, taking the medication is limited to one tablet. This is where the differences between the two means are limited. They have the same effect on the ovulation and fertilization processes.

The second group of drugs includes Mifepristone and Pencrofton. Their use is justified in case of pregnancy, the duration of which does not exceed 6 weeks. They are used after implantation of a fertilized egg. Therefore, before prescribing these medications, it is necessary to conduct a series of clinical studies.

The active substance is mifepristone. Its penetration into the body blocks the activity of progesterone, significantly increasing the contractility of the myometrium. As a result of these processes, the cervix begins to expand, expelling the fertilized egg. Below we will look at how medical abortion occurs using the last group of medications. Mifepristone and Pencrofton are most often used for this procedure.

Possible contraindications

There are a number of circumstances under which medical termination of pregnancy should not be performed. Reviews from gynecologists warn that it is better to refuse the procedure in the following cases:

gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature;
uterine fibroids;
long-term treatment with glucocorticoids;
blood clotting disorder;
lactation period;
ectopic first pregnancy.

Medical termination of pregnancy is not recommended for women over 35 years of age. The drugs used can provoke a sharp change in hormonal levels.

Preparation for the procedure

Pharmacological abortion is a serious procedure that must be performed under the supervision of a doctor. After signs of an unwanted pregnancy appear, you should contact a gynecologist for a preliminary examination. The doctor performs an ultrasound to determine the approximate time of conception. After this, the woman must give written consent to medical termination of pregnancy.

The medications for the procedure are selected by a gynecologist. Before an abortion, a pregnant woman must also undergo several tests, including a smear for flora. If cardiovascular pathologies are suspected, a cardiogram may be required. After this, the doctor sets a date for the abortion. Before this, it is better to give up heavy food, alcohol and smoking 24 hours before.

Stages of pharmacological abortion

After receiving the test results, you can proceed directly to the procedure itself. How does medical abortion occur?

In the absence of obvious contraindications, the doctor gives the woman the drug to drink. As a rule, these are 3 pills of 200 mg each. The next visit to the gynecologist is recommended after 36 hours. At this stage, the fetus is expelled from the uterus. For this purpose, the woman is given prostaglandins and must be instructed about the possible consequences. Sometimes she is asked to stay in the clinic for a day to monitor changes in her condition. The woman can be sent home provided that she adheres to the recommendations of the specialist, and if any unpleasant sensations arise, she immediately contacts him.

The first control ultrasound is performed 3 days after taking the drugs. If fetal remains are visualized in the uterine cavity, the doctor decides exactly how to proceed. A second control ultrasound is scheduled after another 2 weeks. If necessary, the gynecologist gives a referral to analyze the hCG level.

Rehabilitation period

Recovery after the procedure lasts about a month. At this time, you need to pay special attention to your health and well-being. Increased temperature, pain in the lower abdomen, spotting after medical termination of pregnancy - all these symptoms should be a reason to visit a doctor.

After a pharmacological abortion, a woman’s body undergoes serious changes. Hormonal levels are restored, the reproductive sphere is reconstructed, immunity decreases, and the risk of developing inflammation increases. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of yourself and give the body time to normalize the functioning of its basic systems.

For 14 days after an abortion, you should avoid visiting the bathhouse, having sexual intercourse, playing sports, and using tampons. If you follow these tips, you can hope for successful recovery of the body.

Is bleeding after an abortion normal or pathological?

Negative consequences of medical abortion are extremely rare, but they are still possible. One of them is bleeding.

The appearance of blood clots after taking the first pill is considered normal. Over the course of 5 days, the discharge is usually profuse. After this period, they become more scarce and then stop altogether. For some women, spotting continues until the onset of their first menstruation.

Their character depends solely on the individual characteristics of the organism. At first they may be scarlet in color, then dark and brownish towards the end. It is necessary to control bleeding after medical termination of pregnancy and monitor its volume. Using more than two pads per hour is considered a pathology.

If there is severe bleeding or if it suddenly stops, you should immediately contact a gynecologist. If this is not possible, it is necessary to call a team of medical workers.

Complications of medical abortion

Pharmacological abortion is considered a relatively safe procedure, but it is not without its drawbacks. After taking medications, adverse reactions may occur, including:

Painful discomfort. In this case, everything depends on the characteristics of the body and its sensitivity threshold. Before the procedure, the doctor should tell you about possible pain. To eliminate them, antispasmodics and analgesics are usually prescribed. It is not recommended to take medications on your own; you should consult your doctor.
Nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may also accompany pregnancy itself. Sometimes nausea and vomiting are caused by prostaglandins prescribed by the gynecologist. Such side effects are rare, but they go away on their own.
Temperature increase. The consequences of medical termination of pregnancy of this nature are caused by taking medications. As a rule, the temperature rises to 38 degrees and persists for no more than 4 hours. If the unpleasant symptom does not disappear, most likely it is a consequence of the inflammatory process. You should tell your doctor about changes in your health, who will prescribe appropriate therapy.
Diarrhea. This is a short-term side effect that does not require specific treatment.
Hematometra. This disorder is characterized by the accumulation of blood clots in the uterine cavity. Its development is preceded by a spasm of the cervix of the reproductive organ. The disorder can be eliminated with the help of medications.

The listed pathologies rarely accompany medical termination of pregnancy. Reviews from women who have undergone this procedure confirm this statement. Pharmacological abortion leaves virtually no noticeable consequences if done by a qualified specialist and in the absence of contraindications.

Service cost

Where is medical abortion performed? This question worries many women. This service is provided today by almost all medical institutions. It is recommended to seek her help in the hospital where your attending gynecologist works.

The final cost of the procedure may vary depending on the drugs used, the prestige of the clinic and the qualifications of the specialist. A certain role in this issue belongs to the woman’s stay in the hospital after the gynecologist performs a medical termination of pregnancy. The price of the service can range from 7 to 11 thousand rubles.