Dr. Nico Abortion Clinic Services: The Abortion Pill

Medication abortion, also called the abortion pill, is a safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy. 

What is the abortion pill?

The abortion pill is the common name for using two different medicines to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. You can also use misoprostol alone to have an abortion.

First, you take a pill called mifepristone. Pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to grow normally. Mifepristone blocks your body’s progesterone, stopping the pregnancy from growing.

Then you take the second medicine, misoprostol, either right away or up to 48 hours later. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding to empty your uterus. It’s kind of like having a cumbersome, crampy period, and the process is very similar to an early miscarriage. Call your nurse or doctor if you don’t have any bleeding within 24 hours after taking misoprostol.

First Trimester In-Clinic Abortion

Many patients choose to end their pregnancy with a short, simple in-clinic procedure known as a uterine aspiration. This first-trimester abortion option removes the pregnancy with light suction from a handheld device. The entire appointment typically lasts less than four hours, and the vast majority is spent in the privacy of your patient room, where your partner, family members, or friends may be with you. We use multiple methods to reduce pain, including intravenous (IV) sedation, at no additional fee.

Abortion From 15–26 Weeks

This second-trimester abortion procedure is commonly referred to as a “dilation and evacuation” or “D&E.” This procedure typically requires two appointments to give the cervix time to dilate slowly and gently overnight. The procedure happens on the second day and takes about 15 minutes or less. Typically, the anaesthesia medications wear off within two hours, and patients may return home or to their hotel. In some cases, usually after 24 weeks and depending on medical history, we may need to perform the procedure over 3 days, but this is not common.

Safe Abortion Clinic

There are two ways of ending a pregnancy: in-clinic abortion and the abortion pill. Both are safe and very common. If you’re pregnant and thinking about abortion, you may have lots of questions, so contact us. 

How effective is the abortion pill?

The abortion pill is very effective. The effectiveness depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy when you take the medicine.

• For clients who are 8 weeks pregnant or less, it works about 94–98 out of 100 times.
• For people who are 8–9 weeks pregnant, it works about 94–96 out of 100 times.
• So, for people who are 9–10 weeks pregnant, it works about 91–93 out of 100 times.

The abortion pill usually works, but if it doesn’t, you can take more medicine or have an in-clinic abortion to complete the abortion.

In-clinic abortions

In-clinic abortion works by using suction to take a pregnancy out of your uterus. So there are a couple of kinds of in-clinic abortion procedures. Your doctor or nurse will know which type is right for you, depending on how far you are into your pregnancy.

Suction abortion (also called vacuum aspiration) is the most common type of in-clinic abortion. It uses gentle suction to empty your uterus. It’s usually used until about 14–16 weeks after your last period.

How effective are in-clinic abortions?

In-clinic abortions are extremely effective. They work more than 99 out of every 100 times. Needing to get a repeat procedure because the abortion didn’t work is rare.  

Abortion Aftercare: Safe Abortion

After a vacuum aspiration abortion or a dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion, you will go to a recovery area to rest. The staff will periodically check your vital signs and bleeding. It is normal to bleed moderately or even to pass small clots; so the intensity of the cramping usually lessens during the first half hour.

Depending on the procedure, the type of anaesthesia you had, and how you are feeling, you may stay in the recovery area from 20 minutes to an hour or more. If you have IV sedation or general anaesthesia, you will need someone to drive or accompany you home.

After Medical Abortion

Most clinics require a follow-up visit to confirm that the abortion is complete. The clinician will do a physical examination, ultrasound or blood pregnancy test. Sometimes these services can be managed by phone without having to return to the clinic.

At Home After a safe abortion

So with any abortion, avoid putting anything into your vagina (no tampons, no sexual intercourse, and no douching) for five days after the abortion, as the cervix is open and there is a greater chance of infection during this time.

Bleeding ranges from none at all to a light or moderate flow, which may stop and then start again. Some signs of pregnancy, such as nausea, usually get better in a day or two, while others, including breast tenderness, may take a week or two.

You may also be advised to rest and avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. Self-care is important, but work, school and family circumstances may make some recommendations unrealistic. In addition, no studies have shown that these activities increase the risk of complications after abortion. The best guide is to listen to your body and use common sense.

Follow-Up: Safe Abortion

You may be given a follow-up appointment for two to three weeks after the abortion. At this visit, the clinician will check how you are doing emotionally and physically. Most women feel fine and do not have any problems after an abortion, but it’s also normal to feel tired or to have cramps for several days.

Dealing With Emotions 

Emotionally, most women report feeling relief after an abortion, but it is also perfectly normal to have mixed or even negative feelings. The decision to terminate a pregnancy can be sad or stressful. It may be made more upsetting by the stigma against abortion fueled by those who are opposed to abortion rights.

Sex After Abortion

We advise you not to have sex (including receiving oral sex) for 2 weeks after an abortion to minimise the risk of infection. This will give your body the best chance to recover after your treatment. If you do not use contraception, you are at risk of becoming pregnant again. Please call us for advice.

Pregnancy test after your abortion

Make sure you take a pregnancy test to verify that your treatment has been successful 4 weeks after your abortion. A test done before 3 weeks after treatment may give you a false result.