Often used to end an early pregnancy, the medical abortion process is a safe and in-home method over surgical option at a hospital. You can choose an abortion pill for a pregnancy up to 11 to 12 weeks. It has an effectiveness of 95-98%, but requires proper preparation and adhering to certain precautions for a seamless experience.

To complete an abortion, you need an MTP Kit (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) pills as it helps expel the pregnancy tissues easily. Taking medical abortion precautions can manage heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, and other temporary side effects. It can also avert the risk of an incomplete pregnancy termination or infection.

In this blog, we will discuss the key things to keep in mind that keep you safe and healthy in early abortion using the MTP Kit medications.

Confirming Pregnancy and Gestational Age

The first step to take is confirming the pregnancy and how far along you are into conception. You can detect a pregnancy using hCG hormone test through urine or blood diagnosis. However, this will not provide complete information about pregnancy location and the gestational age.

  • Intrauterine Pregnancy: A medical abortion can work for intrauterine pregnancy. Thus, an ultrasound scan can rule out ectopic cases or extrauterine pregnancies, which otherwise require a surgical.

  • Gestational Age: Similarly, the scan also detects the gestational age. If the pregnancy is beyond 10 to 12 weeks, you cannot use abortion pills as the effectiveness drops for later pregnancies

  • Last Menstrual Period:  You can also naturally keep a track of your LMP (last menstrual period) via apps or marking the calendar to get an idea about pregnancy until you can run a pregnancy test. 

  • Pre-Assessment: Thus, an in-person ultrasound for pregnancy check ensures guidance from a healthcare professional. It is an essential part of pre-assessment for medical abortion, and safety.

Choosing a Reputable Provider

When you are looking for an MTP Kit, choose a telehealth service that is recognized with medicines from reputed manufacturers. Or, you can get the abortion pills from an authorized and licensed clinic or provider, adhering to the WHO or ACOG guidelines. Make sure to check the credentials and customer reviews before trusting any platform.

  • Keep away from unverified and unregulated places providing pills without consultation. This can pose health risks from counterfeit medications.
  • It is important to obtain an MTP Kit only from legitimate providers or retail pharmacies that offer 24/7 support lines.
  • The medicines should also be FDA-approved and provided legally in your region.
  • The abortion pill cost will vary from one pharmacy to another. Find out if your state allows insurance coverage for the procedure.
  • In some cases, online telemedicine platforms can offer great discounts on MTP Kit.
  • But analyze the website or app carefully before placing the order. Check for hidden costs if any.

Comprehensive Health Screening

Before starting a medical abortion, you must consider a medical history review in advance:

  • Check for Contraindications: Speak with a doctor if you have any contraindications such as chronic corticosteroid use, bleeding disorders, adrenal insufficiency, or porphyria. Make sure you do not have allergy to Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills, an ectopic pregnancy, or an IUD in place to go through the procedure.

  • Other Tests: Blood tests to check for anemia risks and hemoglobin levels are also important. While you are at that, also get screened for STI such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc. to ensure there is no risk of pelvic infection after pregnancy termination. Talk about any known allergies you may have, especially to Misoprostol prostaglandins.

  • Counseling Matters: Counseling needs must be determined for mental health in case you are experiencing depression or any other psychological condition. Similarly, understanding about contraception after abortion must be understood in time to avoid unplanned pregnancies later.

Medication and Timing Preparations

After getting the MTP Kit – Mifepristone 200mg and Misoprostol 800mcg (4 x 200mcg pills), understand about the dosage and other safe use terms. For instance, store the medicines at room temperature away from direct exposure of heat and moisture. Here is more to follow:

  • Pick a date which is suitable for the procedure. Probably, start on a day after which you will have at least a couple of days of tests – especially when experiencing Misoprostol effects.
  • Plan for privacy – set your expectations about whom you want around at the time of abortion. Talk to a trusted person beforehand so that they can accompany you. Or, you may prefer complete solitude.
  • Stock for essentials before medical abortion begins. This includes enough or large sanitary napkins and not tampons or menstrual cups for the bleeding. Pain meds, hot water bag or hot water bottle for abdominal cramps and pain.
  •  Antiemetic pills for nausea and vomiting. Hydration and electrolyte drinks to combat dehydration and diarrhea.
  •  Fresh clothing in your room to change into. Extra pillows and blankets for comfort. Light snacks and water bottle to keep you going through the termination.

Lifestyle Adjustments Pre-Procedure

Here are a few tweaks for lifestyle before you dive into an abortion pill use:

  • Precautions before a medical abortion includes not drinking alcohol at least 48 hours before the procedure. Intake of alcohol increases the risk of dehydration and bleeding.
  • Do not exercise heavily from the day of abortion. Avoid stress triggers or anything that would cause mental or physical stress. Do not plan any travel when you are undergoing the abortion.
  • Stop using NSAIDs like aspiring, etc, at least two days before as they may cause blood thinning. Similarly, if you are on high-dose vitamin C or herbal supplements, pause their administration until the abortion succeeds.
  • Eat lightly before taking Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Avoid heavy meals as it can worsen nausea and diarrhea.

Warnings Signs, Contraception, and Follow-Up

Here are a few tips about birth control, follow-up, and wellness during and after a pregnancy termination:​

  • Warning SIgns: ​​Keep a check on warning signs in between the procedure such as high fever over 24 hours, foul-smelling discharge, excessive bleeding (soaking over 2 large pads per hour for next 2 hours), pain medicines and techniques not reducing severe pain, etc. Get emergency care immediately in these cases.
  • Birth Control: ​​​Ovulation after a medical abortion can resume in 2 weeks and sometimes it may take longer. Start birth control immediately from the time you are sexually active after pregnancy termination. If you have an intrauterine device inserted, get it removed before the abortion pill.​​​​​​
  • Follow-Up: Also, plan for a follow-up after a couple of weeks after completing the medication course. Here, you may undergo an ultrasound scan to confirm the abortion results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some FAQs about medical abortion precautions:

1. Can I eat or drink normally before medical abortion?

It is best to eat lightly during a medical pregnancy termination. This helps reduce the risk of stomach upset and nausea. Avoid intake of alcohol and limit caffeine intake. Stay hydrated on water and electrolyte drinks.

2. What If I have an IUD before the procedure?

If you have a birth control intrauterine device inside, then get it removed before the abortion procedure. An IUD in place can prevent expulsion of pregnancy properly. It may also raise the risk of infections.

3. How soon can i return to work after precautions?

You can resume light chores after a day or two of completing the medical abortion. If the bleeding and other effects feel bothersome, then rest for a few additional days. Time the termination in a way that you get a weekend to rest well.

4. Is medical abortion painful, and what precautions help?

While heavy bleeding like period and abdominal cramps or pain are expected, you can take pain meds to manage the pain, and take rest sufficiently in a comfortable room. Warm herbal teas can add to the relaxation.

5. When should I seek emergency care post-precautions?

Access emergency care if you soak over two large pads in an hour for the consecutive two hours, have a fever over 100.4°F for more than a day, experience foul-smelling discharge, or severe abdominal pain not reduced by pain management methods.

Last updated 50 mins ago