Aborting A Foetus

What is medical abortion?

Medical abortion is a safe and effective process of ending a pregnancy so it does not result in the birth of a baby. A medical abortion doesn’t require surgery or anaesthesia. It can take place at home also following regular visits to a doctor or in a hospital/clinic. Medical abortion is most effective and is considered to be safer in the first trimester.

How is a medical abortion carried out?

Medical abortion takes place by giving the female two abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) to end the pregnancy.

The procedure of taking the first pill – Mifepristone

This is the most common type of medical abortion. These medications are usually taken within 7 weeks of the first day of your last period. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, causing the line of the uterus to become thin, thereby preventing the embryo from staying implanted (and growing). A female should take the first pill in the presence of a doctor in the hospital and the second pill at home, hours or days later.

The procedure for taking the second pill – Misoprostol

You may take the second pill misoprostol either right away or after 48 hours. This causes bleeding and cramping to empty your uterus. It is kind of like having a really heavy and crampy period; the process is quite similar to having an early miscarriage. If you don’t start bleeding within 24 hours after taking the second pill, immediately contact your doctor.

What happens after taking the medication?

Taking these medications causes heavy bleeding and abdominal cramping. Sometimes it
might also cause:

• Vomiting, diarrhoea, headache

• Chills

• Nausea

• Fever

• Pain (starts after half an hour of taking the second pill and is usually more severe than period pain)

• Bleeding (similar to a normal period for 3 to 7 days after the medical abortion)

• Irregular bleeding or spotting can last up to 4 weeks after the procedure.

Medications such as antibiotics are also given to manage the pain. After a medical abortion, infection is quite rare. Your doctor will also tell you, depending on the weeks of your
pregnancy, how much bleeding and pain to expect.

During this time, it might become a little difficult to carry out your daily chores but it’s quite unlikely that you will need bed rest. As it bleeds heavily during the procedure, it is important
to have a significant number of sanitary pads in stock.

If you are carrying out a medical abortion at home, it becomes important to have an on-call doctor whenever you are in need and access to emergency services. Contact us or book an appointment at Yashoda Hospital we are just a phone call away.

Identifying complications also becomes important during this period. To ease the pain, you can try the following:-

1) Put a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly

2) Take a shower

3) Have someone rub your back

After the procedure: –

Symptoms that may require medical attention after a medical abortion:-

• Severe pain
• Excessively heavy bleeding (defined as usage of two or more pads within 1 hour)
• Strong smelling vaginal discharge
• Passing clots for two or more hours that are quite large.

Bleeding (including blood clots) and cramping can be experienced for up to 2 weeks after a medical abortion. Abortion usually takes place a couple of hours to 1-2 days after taking the second pill (misoprostol).

Bleeding, spotting and cramping are normal for up to 4 weeks after having a medical
abortion. To ensure that you are healing properly after a medical abortion and to evaluate your uterine size, bleeding, and any signs of infection, visit your doctor.

Not having vaginal intercourse and not using tampons for 2 weeks after the abortion also cuts down the risks of infection to an extent.

After an abortion, you can take medications like:-

Painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol help relieve pain and discomfort. You may also experience a range of emotions after getting an abortion. This is very common. At this time, you can also consult a counsellor.

Safety First: –

Abortion should be performed by a specialist. At Yashoda, we have the best Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. As experts, we like to help our patients in every way possible and make them
comfortable with the procedure.

Risk Factors

There could be several risks that come with medical abortion:

1) The abortion might sometimes remain incomplete and hence would need to be followed by a surgical procedure to get the foetus aborted.

2) If the procedure doesn’t work, there is a risk of an ongoing unwanted pregnancy.

3) Sometimes the bleeding can be heavy and extended.

4) There may also be a risk of fever, infection, and digestive system discomfort.

Likewise, getting an abortion may have emotionally and psychologically overwhelming consequences. If you are considering this procedure, make sure that you understand what it entails, its side effects, possible risks, complications, etc. Discussing it with your doctor before the procedure can be helpful. Visit Yashoda Hospital & Research Centre for the safest procedure.

Specialists in this field, at Yashoda Hospital & Research Centre, Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad:

1) Dr Shashi Arora – HOD, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Dr Shashi Arora is the best Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in the entire Delhi NCR. With an experience of more than 40 years and 60,000+ deliveries performed, she is the specialist you are looking for!

2)Dr. Jyotsana Agarwal With medical experience spanning 30 years, Dr Jyotsana Agarwal is a specialist in treating all kinds of diseases during pregnancy among others.

3)Dr. Aparna Arya Tyagi She has hands-on experience in high-risk obstetrics and management, complicated caesarean sections, laparoscopic and open gynae surgeries as well as family planning procedures. She also specialises in preventive oncology of female reproductive organs.

In case you have more doubts, queries, or concerns, or are wishing for an abortion, visit Yashoda Hospital & Research Centre, Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, or consult our gynaecologists
at: https://consult.bestdocapp.com/home/YASHODAHOS.