Medical Abortion - The Do's and Don'ts for Safe Procedure

Ending an early pregnancy is safe with pills if you know how to use the medicines properly. Also, though the medication method to terminate a pregnancy is more comforting than an invasive procedure, there are a set of precautions to look into. Like every medicine and treatment, even medical abortion involves the do’s and don’ts, so that your body can easily expel the conception products without inviting any complications. In this blog, we will tell you how to conduct a medication abortion at home, and the precautions to take, along with what to avoid or do.

How to Prepare for an Early Pregnancy Termination?

Before jumping to using the abortion pills and the dosage, firstly, you must know the preparatory steps.

For instance, if you suspect a pregnancy, get an ultrasound scan of the whole abdomen.

You can only use the pill method if the conception is in the uterus and not outside.

Also, the pregnancy weeks must not exceed 12. Note all the ongoing medicines and treatment.

Discuss with your healthcare provider about the safety of continuing any other medications you take at the time of pregnancy termination.

Check for medicine interactions and any contraindications. You may need supplies such as medicines for side effects, large sanitary napkins,

quick fix healthy food to heat and eat, etc.

How to Conduct a Medical Abortion at Home?

Now, talking about the actual medical pregnancy termination, if your pregnancy is within the initial 6 weeks,

you will need one Mifepristone 200mg pill and 4 x Misoprostol 200mcg pills. For a pregnancy between 6 and 10 weeks,

you will need double the mentioned dosage. For a pregnancy past 10 weeks but within 12 weeks, you may need additional 4 Misoprostol pills over the already 8 pills.

On day one, start with Mifepristone orally with water. Swallow the medicine without breaking, chewing, or crushing it.

For only 4 Misoprostol pills, you can either use buccal or vaginal administration.

For instance, place the pills in the cheek pouches for 30 minutes. After pills melt, ingest the components with a sip of water.

Or, push the pills gently within the vagina in a sleeping position and stay that way for half an hour.

The medicine will melt and get absorbed in the vaginal walls and tissues.

If you are taking 8 pills or more, we recommend buccal intake rather than vaginal, as the latter may cause strong uterine contractions and abdominal cramps.

Maintain an interval of 2 to 4 hours between buccal consumption of each 4 pills together.

How to Manage the Abortion Pill Effects?

After taking the abortion pills as mentioned above or as instructed by a physician, your body will go through certain changes.

Mifepristone is an anti-progesterone medicine, so it inhibits the progesterone hormone. With a lack of this hormone, the endometrial lining begins to shed.

Once the uterine lining sheds, the pregnancy portions are no longer attached to the uterus wall. Thus, the pregnancy ends, staying inside the womb for now.

With Misoprostol pills, which are a prostaglandin E1 analog medicine, you experience uterine contractions so that the pregnancy products will exit the uterus and vagina.

The contractions in the womb cause abdominal pain and cramps. This is a normal consequence. However, you can take pain-relief medicines, except aspirin.

Or, use a hot water bag and heating pad for additional relief. There is heavy vaginal bleeding, which is also expected as the exit portions contain the fetus, pregnancy tissues,

the sac, and the shed endometrial lining. Keep a track of the bleeding to notice if it is not in excess. Remember not to use menstrual cups, tampons, or anything insertable in the vagina.

Rather, utilize large-sized maxi sanitary pads.

What Are the Safety Protocols to Follow?

While medical abortion is safe and as you understand the do’s to the procedure, you must now also acquaint yourself with the safety measures, and things to steer clear of. For instance,

do not consume alcohol or any interacting substances. You should not take the medicine if you are allergic to its components. In that case, you may have to look for an alternative,

a safer one being the in-clinic procedure. Do not venture out while bleeding or feeling dizzy. Do not strain yourself physically and mentally.

If you need assistance, ask for it before the procedure by arranging someone to come over to your place, or vice-versa, on the day of taking the medicine, and perhaps stay a bit longer after the procedure.

Having access to emergency care nearby, which is open 24/7, will add to safety in case of contingencies. After completion of the medication course, let 2 weeks pass,

but then get an ultrasound scan of the uterus to check if the pregnancy is clear from the uterus, or if there is any leftover.

To Conclude

This guide to safely get a medical abortion at home by following the do’s and don’ts will not only ensure a complete and successful pregnancy termination,

but prepare you in advance for all the essentials so that there are no mix-ups or problems at the time of the procedure.

So, if you wish to continue with medication pregnancy-ending early, you can always depend on the pills, and relieve yourself from an unplanned pregnancy.

Experience ultimate privacy and a low-expense procedure without the need of anesthesia and formal care. You do not have to get admitted to any hospital if you follow the steps to taking the abortion pills properly.