Medical abortion is when you take a medication to stop a

pregnancy from continuing. You may also hear the terms

“medication abortion”, “pill abortion” or “termination of

pregnancy”. There are two (2) types of medications that you 

take: Mifepristone & Misoprostol (as Mifegymiso). This is

the worldwide gold standard for medical abortion. 

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HOW DOES IT WORK?

- You will make an appointment to review the procedure 

with one of our providers

- You may need to take a blood test or ultrasound before

having medication to document timing of pregnancy

- Medication is a reasonable option for up to nine (9) weeks

of pregnancy

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HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE MEDICATION?

The medication is up to 95% effective in terminating the

pregnancy with no need for further follow-up.

About 0.5% of abortions will fail and require surgical 

procedure if the pregnancy is still growing. We follow all

abortions through final stages to make sure you are no

longer pregnant, and clinic follow-up is very important.

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WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A MEDICAL ABORTION?

- Very effective and safe method for early pregnancies

- Avoid surgical procedure (anesthesia, instrumentation,

vaccuum aspiration, etc)

- May not need to have an ultrasound performed prior to

undergoing medical abortion

- May be able to pass off symptoms as a “miscarriage” if

that is important to you

- Can be at home with a support instead of at a clinic or

hospital, which is sometimes more comfortable & private

- If you are in a remote area, we can also treat you virtually

where you do not have to come into clinic (however some

lab testing or ultrasound may be required)

- No effect on longterm fertility/future pregnancy

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WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF A MEDICAL ABORTION?

- May be unpredictable - and uncertainity about when

you will bleed or pass the pregnancy

- Bleeding can be heavier & longer than surgical abortion

- Cramping can be stronger/longer than surgical abortion

- At least two (2) appointments are required

- May need to undergo lab blood test & ultrasound

- Failure rate is higher than with surgical abortion

- There are some health reasons you would not qualify for

a medical abortion

- You must be less than 9 weeks pregnant at our clinic to

have a medical abortion

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SIDE EFFECTS OF MEDICATION?

There are very few side effects from Mifepristone (which

stops the pregnancy from continuing). The Misoprostol

medication expulses the pregnancy products, so you can

expect bleeding, moderate-severe cramping lasting a few

hours, and sometimes flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhea,

headaches, fever and chills. Many patients do report no

side effects at all, and we will prescribe medication to help

alleviate side effects.

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WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE A MEDICAL ABORTION?

- Anemia (low iron in the blood)

- Severe asthma requiring steroid medications

- Bleeding disorders or blood clotting problems

- Allergic to any of the medications

- If you are more than 9-10 weeks pregnant 

- Possible ectopic pregnancy

- Chronic adrenal failure

- Undecided with how to proceed with pregnancy

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WANT TO DISCUSS FURTHER?

Book an appointment with one of our PRO-CHOICE

providers to help you with the process, and start

the procedure at any time.