Detailing Out Medical Abortion Procedure and Side Effects Management

 

Medical abortion works 95-95% of the time, and is a non-invasive method to end an early pregnancy (gestational age up to 10 to 12 weeks). Deciding if Mifepristone and Misoprostol found in MTP Kit are right or not for you must begin with taking a pregnancy test. Use a pregnancy calculation to check the number of days passed from the first day of the last period until you get confirmation via an ultrasound scan.

Let us understand how to start approaching a medical abortion and successfully make one happen at home:

Abortion Pill Process: Things to Keep in Mind and Handy

Look for contraindications such as ectopic pregnancy (implantation outside the uterus), bleeding disorders, long-term use of corticosteroid medicines, chronic adrenal failure, an unremoved intrauterine device, allergies to abortion meds, use of blood-thinning therapies, etc. If there are no contraindications, next you look for the required medicines:

·       Mifepristone 1 pill of 200mg strength and 4 to 16 Misoprostol pills, each of 200mcg strength. Step 1 starts with swallowing a Mifepristone pill with water. Side effects do not impact at this stage. Some may experience spotting and light cramps. Wait for 24 to 48 hours.

·       Step 2 involves taking Misoprostol 800mcg (4 pills of 200mcg) either by inserting two pills each in both cheek pouches or all the four meds under the tongue.

·       Let the pills stay there to get dissolved over half an hour. Do not drink, talk, or eat in this period and swallow the remains after 30 minutes.

·       If you do not want to follow buccal or sublingual methods of using Misoprostol as suggested above, you can insert one pill at a time in the vagina instead.

·       Lie down for 30 minutes and in this duration the pills will get absorbed in the body. It is okay if any remains fall out after this time.

·       You can even opt for Misoprostol-only procedure. Since Mifepristone will be absent, you will need at least 8 x 200mcg pills instead of 4 x 200mcg pills to begin the medical abortion.

·       In this case, take 4 pills buccally, sublingually, or vaginally. After 24 hours, repeated the procedure, but since you could be bleeding already, avoid vaginal administration of the pills.

Managing Abortion Pill Side Effects

Follow-up after two weeks of the abortion pill course to check for the pregnancy status. Also, here we list out some ways you can reduce the impact of medical abortion consequences from hormonal shifts:

·       To manage abdominal pain and cramps, you may need either Ibuprofen up to 800mg or Naproxen up to 500mg. Acetaminophen up to 1000mg for analgesic and antipyretic properties, every 8 hours.

·       To tackle pain, you can also use a hot water bottle or heating pad where it hurts. Drink warm ginger or herbal tea for relaxation, along with vitamin B6 add-on if advised by a doctor.

·       For anti-nausea effect you can depend on ondansetron, dimenhydrinate, or diphenhydramine.

·       Keep your diet free of alcohol, fatty food and oily or junk items. Eat light and nothing that may upset your stomach. Avoid heavy meals but you may have short snacks at intervals if you feel hungry.

·       Practice relaxation techniques and meditation to stay calm and to manage your emotions. You may seek virtual consultation and care for remote management of side effects.

·       If you wish someone to assist you with the procedure, seek help in advance so that you can have the necessary company at the time of abortion. Always keep contact details of nearby emergency care available 24/7 with arrangement for transportation in case of urgent needs.

How Many Abortion Pills Do I Need?

The number of pills for pregnancy termination that you require depends on the time passed since last period, or the gestational age:

·       If the pregnancy is 9 weeks or less, use one Mifepristone 200mg and then use 4 Misoprostol pills at first, followed by 2 more every 3 to 4 hours until bleeding begins. But do not exceed more than 3 extra doses.

·       If the pregnancy is 9 weeks to 12 weeks, then follow the same as above. However, you can take up to 5 extra doses (each dose containing 2 Misoprostol pills of 200mcg) apart from the regular 800mcg Misoprostol.

·       This is a general guideline but the number of pills you need will be defined by the dosage and what the doctor recommends. Make sure not to overdose. Also keep an eye on any warning signs to seek medical assistance. Some uncalled complications that need attention are excessive bleeding, infection, sepsis or shock, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the common FAQs about MTP Kit medical abortion procedure:

1.       What are the common side effects?

Heavy vaginal bleeding helps expel the pregnancy. Blood clots could be large as they contain pregnancy tissues and embryos. The earlier the pregnancy, the less heavy the bleeding is. You may also experience nausea, cramping, vomiting, chills, fever, or diarrhea. So, it is ideal to stay hydrated by taking water, soups, and electrolyte beverages.

2.       What if I am Rh Negative?

Rhogam is valid if your blood type is A-, B-, O-, AB- and available at a lab, clinic, or hospital. You may not require one if the pregnancy is less than 11.6 weeks, but do consult a doctor about it. If your pregnancy is over 12 weeks, then you may need a shot called Rhogam to restrict issues with future conceptions. Take this short in 3 days after pregnancy termination.

3.       How to manage the abortion bleeding?

You must use large sanitary napkins to keep a track of bleeding. Since the vaginal tissues are sensitive at this time and the cervix slightly dilated for pregnancy expulsion, do not use menstrual pads or tampons.

4.       When can I start with regular chores after abortion?

Wait for a couple of days to get some rest before beginning with light chores. Avoid physical strain and workout as you would be bleeding still. Give yourself a few more days of care by being careful not to engage in anything strenuous. But you can begin traveling once the bleeding is manageable.

5.       When can I have sex or use birth control again?

Wait for the bleeding to cease after abortion to find it safe for vaginal intercourse. This reduces the risk of infection and vaginal injury as the blood vessels are more widened at this phase. You may start with contraception before being sexually active. You need not wait for the bleeding to stop to begin birth control.