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NON
SURGICAL ABORTION
RU-486
"The abortion pill"
Eve Medical Centers
are committed to providing the best quality care, which includes
state-of-the-art technology as well as for the physical and emotional
care of our patients. The Food and Drug Administration has approved
certain drugs which may be used to terminate pregnancy. The
alternative of using medication versus surgery for medical abortions
is a safe but somewhat lengthy procedure which requires at least two
office visits to ensure the pregnancy has been successfully
terminated.
Medicated
abortion must be done in the very early stages of pregnancy (less
than 7 weeks).
With all
medicated abortions, you must refrain from sexual intercourse after
the initial visit until the two-week follow-up ultrasound is done to
determine termination of pregnancy. Light to moderate bleeding may
be experienced for two to four weeks or longer after the initial
visit.
Advantages of medicated abortions |
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1.
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No anesthesia or surgery |
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2.
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Administered early in pregnancy |
3.
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Depending upon location, it may be easier to acquire versus a
surgical abortion |
The following drugs have been approved and are available
options offered at Eve Medical Centers. |
Mifepristone (Mifeprex or RU-486):
This drug has been used in France for over 10 years to induce
abortion. It causes a miscarriage by detaching the pregnancy sac
from the uterine wall. RU-486 is only effective on uterine
pregnancies versus tubal or ectopic pregnancies. A pregnancy of less
than 7 weeks LMP must be visible ultrasound before RU-486 may be
administered. The cost is about the same as an early surgical
abortion.
Methotrexate:
Administered by injection or pill. Used to treat tubal or ectopic
pregnancies. This causes the uterus to contract and allows the
pregnancy tissue to pass from your uterus. Common side effects may
be nausea, cramping, vomiting, headache and diarrhea. You must
return after 2 weeks for a follow-up visit for confirmation of a
successful abortion.
Misoprostol (Cytotec):
Used in combination with either Mifepristone or Methotrexate. This
drug causes the cervix to open and the contents of the uterus to
expel, thus causing a miscarriage. Heavy bleeding is expected after
the Misoprostol tablets are inserted. Please notify Eve Medical
Centers if extreme heavy bleeding persists after two hours.
Please call us with any questions you may have or if you are
undecided about a pregnancy, you’re welcome to speak with one
of our counselors.
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