Medical Abortion

Overview

Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy. It can be done in many ways and one of them is medical abortion. Medical abortion is a great alternative to surgical abortion as it is safe, reliable and does not involve difficult procedures. Medical abortion is usually done in the first trimester and the causes of medical abortion are a nonviable fetus, underlying medical conditions and pregnancy that is unsafe for the mother and fetus. Medical abortion is done with medications which are misoprostol and mifepristone commonly which is taken either orally, by injection or inserted vaginally. Mifepristone blocks the progesterone hormone causing the uterine lining to thin out and misoprostol causes contraction of the uterus leading to the expulsion of the embryo through the vagina. Ultrasound is always done before the treatment to confirm the viability of uterine pregnancy and dating. Common side effects are headache, dizziness, abdominal cramps, fever, pain, and prolonged bleeding after the procedure.