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Abortion Alternatives Article
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What Is An Abortion Pill?
from:An abortion pill is defined by the dictionary as, “a drug taken orally to induce abortion, especially early in pregnancy.” The term “abortion pill” commonly refers to the drug Mifeprex, an abortifacient made up of the combination of two FDA approved medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. This abortion pill works during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy to cause a chemically induced miscarriage.
Mifepristone is also known as RU-486 and was developed in France. The drug works by blocking progesterone, a hormone that helps maintain pregnancy. If this hormone is not present, the uterus will begin to shed the lining, dependant on the woman, sometimes bleeding will occur. Mifepristone is taken orally in an abortion clinic. After this drug is taken, the clinic will provide a second drug called misoprostol. Misoprostol is taken between 24 and 72 hours after Mifepristone has been taken. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contact, thus causing a miscarriage. Many women prefer this type of abortion because it allows them the ability to be at home and in private when the miscarriage occurs. It also lets the woman have a little control over the situation, which some women find helpful.
A small amount of bleeding may occur when a person takes the first part of the abortion pill, Mifepristone. The amount of bleeding varies greatly from woman to woman. Some women do not even experience any bleeding from the first drug, while others experience period-like blood flow. Cramping and bleeding will occur with the second part of the abortion pill, Misoprostol. Sometimes this happens within 20 minutes of taking the drug. Regardless, 6 to 8 hours after taking the Misoprostol, cramping is experienced – often in waves, and sometimes very severely. Some women have side effects including vomiting and diarrhea. Clots are usually expelled, but it is impossible to see the embryo because it is too small.
It is necessary to have a follow-up appointment at the abortion clinic two weeks after the abortion pill is administered. This appointment will involve an exam to be sure the abortion has occurred. Although the abortion pill is between 95% and 97% effective, a small percentage of women have to have a follow up surgical abortion procedure to complete the abortion. This surgical procedure involves dilation the uterus and using suction to get rid of the remaining tissue.
As with any medical procedure, there are risks to using the abortion pill. Blood transfusions have been needed to replace lost blood due to excessive bleeding, but this is not at all common.