Gestational Age: Up to 7 weeks
Typical Cost: $400-$650
PROCEDURE
The FDA approved regimen1 for RU-486 is a three-visit process using two different drugs:
1. Mifepristone is given orally during the first office visit (600 mg). Mifepristone blocks progesterone from sustaining the pregnancy, thereby ending the life of the baby.
2. Misoprostol tablets are given orally (400 mcg) during the second office visit which occurs 36-48 hours later. The patient will then return home where the misoprostol will cause contractions to expel the baby’s remains. This may occur within a few hours or up to two weeks after taking misoprostol.
3. A physical exam is given two weeks later to ensure the abortion is complete and that there are no immediate complications.
WARNINGS
The FDA has approved mifepristone for use only up to 49 days (7 weeks) from last menstrual period. Be aware that many providers offer the drug beyond the FDA approved limit, prescribe other doses, fail to provide both drugs, or skip one or more of the three visits. Deviations from the approved regimen increase your risk of unnecessary or harmful complications.
The procedure is unsuccessful approximately 8-10% of the time, thus requiring an additional surgical abortion procedure to complete the termination.
Medical abortion is not advised for women who have anemia, bleeding disorders, liver or kidney disease, seizure disorder, acute inflammatory bowel disease, or use an intrauterine device (IUD).
Risks and Side Effects
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Sepsis and Septic Shock
- Death
- Fetal Development Weeks 5-9
The following describes some of the developmental steps of the baby during the time frame when a woman is eligible for a medication abortion.
- Development of brain and spinal cord
- Heart begins to beat
- Hands and feet are forming
- Every essential organ has begun to form
- Bones begin to form, muscles can contract
- Abortion Pill Reversal
It is possible to reverse the effects of the abortion pill within 72 hours of taking the first dose.
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