When considering a medical abortion, many women wonder how far the fetus develops, and what are the physical effects of undergoing the procedure. For safety of the pregnant person, abortion pill use is valid until up to 10 to 11 weeks of pregnancy. In some cases, the pills seem to remain effective for up to 12 weeks as well. However, the earlier the pills are used, greater are the chances of a successful termination.
In the early first trimester, the fetal growth goes through several changes. In this blog, we aim to discuss the fetus size and development within the initial 10 to 11 gestational weeks, when the MTP Kit pills (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) are usually used to end the pregnancy.
How Long is the Medical Abortion Window?
The abortion pill is an FDA-approved medicine for use up to 10-11 weeks of pregnancy. The gestational age is counted from the first day of the last menstrual period. This stage is called the embryonic or early fetal phase. In week 1 to 8, the pregnancy is termed as an embryo. If the conception is at week 9 or further, the embryo then resumes the status of a fetus.
Week-by-Week Fetus Growth and Milestones
Here we will trace the development of the embryo to fetus and further as per the pregnancy weeks:
1) Weeks 4 to 5: The Beginning of Visible Growth
The pregnancy test mostly comes positive after four weeks of conception. The embryo is mostly about 1-2mm or a size of a poppy seed in this duration. The blastocyst implants or attaches to the uterine lining.
The cell growth is indistinguishable but eventually forms into the placenta and internal organs. The size of the embryo is too small to be visible to the naked eye as the growth appears as a tiny cluster or small tissue speck.
2) Week 6: The Sweet Pea Stage
As the pregnancy proceeds to six weeks, the embryo grows to 5-6mm or the size of a sweet pea. Here, the cells start to divide and a neural tube appears. This later becomes the spinal cord and brain. A tube-like heart structure also occurs, which begins to beat. However, the heart does not have four chambers yet or fully formed in this period.
3) Week 7: The Blueberry Stage
At seven weeks, there has been a significant growth to the embryo size, which resembles a blueberry and is about 10-12mm long. It begins to form facial features such as the eye lenses and nostrils. A tail also appears under the spinal cord, but that starts to retreat. The liver also starts to produce red blood cells.
4) Week 8: The Raspberry Stage
Once 8 weeks pass, the pregnancy is already almost 2 months old. The embryo is about 1.6cm like the size of a raspberry. The finger and toes start to form, but are still webbed. Tiny involuntary movements begin to appear, but these are minor to cause any sensation to the pregnant person.
If a medical abortion is done at this point, the pregnancy tissues are more significant or visible compared to the termination done in earlier weeks. The tissues may contain a small sac with blood clots in the surrounding.
5) Weeks 9 to 10: The Prune to Strawberry Stage
It is during week 9 that the embryo develops into a fetus. Once the pregnancy is 10 weeks old, the general limit for pill-assisted pregnancy termination, the fetus is about 3.1-4cm or the size of a large prune or strawberry. Externally the ears begin to form.
At this stage, important organs such as the brain, intestines, and kidneys are in their correct position. They also begin to function. The limbs get longer and the tail disappears. Ossification occurs, wherein the bones start to harden.
Physical Expectations During Medical Abortion
During a medical abortion, if it occurs in the ninth or tenth week, the symptoms are different from termination early, done at around 5-6 weeks. Here is what the physical outcomes of the procedure are:
→If the pregnancy is 4 to 6 weeks old, there is a tiny gestational sac, hardly distinct from heavy menstrual clots.
→When the conception reaches week 9 or 10, the size of the gestational sac is like a small melon.
→Sometimes it may appear visible and more significant than the placental tissue.
→Vaginal bleeding is heavier and cramping more intense if the pregnancy is further into the first trimester. This is because the uterus has more tissues to expel.
→Thus, the cramping and bleeding is also more than what may occur at 10 weeks compared to pregnancy at 6 weeks.
Medical Abortion Process As Per Fetus Development
Remember that no matter the fetus size and growth across the first to 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, if you are performing a medical abortion, the procedure remains the same.
→You must take Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills. Some women only take Misoprostol pills. However, using two types of medicines in a step-by-step process promises better and successful results.
→The usual dose is one Mifepristone 200mg and four Misoprostol 200mcg pills. At times, a greater number of Misoprostol pills are needed if after the initial dose of 4 pills, bleeding does not begin in 3 to 6 hours.
→It is best to consult a physician to understand the MTP Kit dosage as per how further you are into the pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common queries about the fetus growth and size within the medical abortion duration:
1) How is gestational age calculated for a medical abortion?
The gestational age is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period. However, it is better examined and understood accurately if an ultrasound scan is done by a professional.
2) Can I see the fetus during a 10-week medical abortion?
If the pregnancy is 10 weeks old, then the gestational sac is significant and possibly visible. The person may see some blood clots around the sac. But fetal features are not that visible.
3) Is a medical abortion more painful at 10 weeks than 6 weeks?
Since the pregnancy at 10 weeks is further than what it was at 6 weeks, the amount of pregnancy tissues is more. The uterine contractions are also more intense as the uterus must put more effort in removing the pregnancy sections. So, the vaginal bleeding is also heavier than what it would be at 6 weeks, as well as the abdominal cramps and pain.
4) What happens if I take the pill past the 10-week limit?
If you take the abortion pill beyond 10 weeks, it is not impossible to have a successful pregnancy termination. However, the effectiveness of the medicine decreases. People have positively used the MTP Kit medicines up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. But the earlier you use the pills in the pregnancy, the higher chances of a success at the abortion.
5) Does the size of the fetus affect how long the bleeding lasts?
The size of the fetus is greater, then the bleeding and cramping will last longer due to a greater number of tissues to expel. Also, the uterine lining gets firmer as the pregnancy develops. So, expect heavier and longer lasting bleeding for an abortion done at a later stage.