Medical
abortion is a procedure that uses a combination of two drugs (Mifeprex, or
mifepristone, and Cytotec, or misoprostol) to end a pregnancy.
Medical abortions can be performed between 5 weeks and 4 days and 9 weeks after the first
day of your last period. Medical abortions always
require at least two separate appointments, as well as some effort on your
part at home.It is natural to wonder, "What will happen during
a medical abortion?" We hope the following will prepare you for what to expect.
You can also check out our Medical
Abortion FAQs for additional information or try our comparison
of Medical vs Surgical Abortion
to decide which method is right for you.
Your First Appointment (about 1.5 hours)
Reception Area
When you check in for your appointment, the receptionist
will notify our staff that you have arrived. The Comprehensive Women's
Health Center is integrated into the general clinic practice; women are
not identified in the reception area as desiring pregnancy termination and
there are no signs advertising our clinic. This ensures the privacy and
safety of our patients and staff.
5 minutes
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Health Education
Shortly after you arrive, one of our female health
educators will bring you to a private room. At this time, we will
collect payment and give you some paperwork to complete, including a
medical history form. You will discuss and learn about pregnancy options,
the abortion procedure, and various birth control methods. You may remain
fully dressed for this part of your appointment. The health educator will
take your blood pressure, pulse, and weight. If you brought a support
person with you, s/he may accompany you during the health education.
20 minutes
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Meeting with the Doctor
After your conversation with the health educator, you
will meet the doctor. Our physicians are obstetrician-gynecologists with
specialized training and interest in abortion provision and family
planning. The doctor will review your medical history and discuss the
abortion procedure, including possible risks and complications, and ask
you to sign a consent form. She will also perform an ultrasound exam
to determine your pregnancy's gestation. At this time, she will give
you the first medication, Mifeprex. You must take the Mifeprex while
you are in the clinic.
40 minutes
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Going Home
After you take the Mifeprex, you will be sent home with
a copy of our aftercare
instructions and 4 pills of Cytotec (misoprostol). The doctor
will tell you how to place the four pills in your vagina (see Placing the
Misoprostol, below).
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Placing the Misoprostal (6 hours to 3 days later)
As soon as 6 hours after your first appointment, or as long as 3 days
later, you will place 4 tablets of Cytotec (misoprostol) in your vagina.
We will give you an instruction
sheet detailing what to do and what to expect.
Your Second Visit (7 to 14 days later)
It is extremely important that you come to the clinic
for this second appointment. The medication you take for a medical
abortion can cause severe birth defects if the pregnancy is not
terminated--which happens for about 5% of women. For this reason,
you must return to the clinic to confirm that the abortion is
complete. If it isn't, we strongly recommend that you have a
surgical abortion to complete the process.
Reception Area
When you check in for your appointment, the receptionist
will notify our staff that you have arrived. The Comprehensive Women's
Health Center is integrated into the general clinic practice; women are
not identified in the reception area as desiring pregnancy termination and
there are no signs advertising our clinic. This ensures the privacy and
safety of our patients and staff.
5 minutes
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Health Education
Shortly after you arrive, one of our female health
educators will bring you to a private room. She will briefly review
your experience with the misoprostol and the abortion process. You may remain
fully dressed for this part of your appointment. The health educator will
take your blood pressure, pulse, and weight. If you brought a support
person with you, s/he may accompany you during the health education.
10 minutes
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Meeting the Doctor
After your conversation with the health educator, you
will meet the doctor. The doctor will review your experience with
the abortion process. She will also perform an ultrasound exam
to confirm that the abortion is complete. At this time, she will
review contraception options with your and, if appropriate, provide
samples of your chosen method and an initial prescription.
15 minutes
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Follow-Up
Unless you are experiencing complications related to
your abortion, you do not need to visit our office again after your second
appointment. We recommend
that you make an appointment to see your regular physician for an annual
pap smear, physical/gynecologic exam, and birth control refill requests.
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Comprehensive
Women's Health Center
