RU-486 | Facts You Should Know About the Abortion Pill.

The Abortion Pill Process in the US and many parts of the world consists of taking two medicatons. 1) RU 486 (Mifeprex, Mifepristone, Mifegyne, French Pill) and 2) Misoprostol (Cytotec). RU 486 blocks the hormone Progesterone that is important in maintaining growth of the pregnancy. Misoprostol causes the Uterus (womb) to contract and empty its content.

Who Can Have An Abortion Pill Procedure?

Women in the first and second trimester of pregnancy (3 to 24 weeks or further) are able to undergo the Abortion Pill Procedure with RU 486 and Misoprostol. The medical abortion method is the most common and primary method of terminating second trimester abortions in the world today.

How To Take The Abortion Pills?

RU 486 is a 200 mg tablet that in the US is FDA restricted to be dispensed only at a qualified Physician’s Medical Office, a very small percentage of Hospitals or Abortion Clinic Offices. They are not dispensed at Pharmacies.

The RU 486 tablet is taken at the Medical facility after 1) blood and urine testing, 2) a counseling session and 3) a sonogram to determine the number of weeks pregnant the patient is.

After meeting with the Physician and discussing her history and performing a Physical Examination, the patient is given the 200mg tablet of RU 486. They are instructed when to take the Misoprostol pills which can be given immediately after taking the RU 486 tablet, or up to 5 days later.

Instructions are given on when and how to take the Misoprostol 200 ug tablets. They can be inserted vaginally, taken orally, placed between the cheek and gum (buccally) or underneath the tongue (sublingually).

How Soon After Taking the pill does The cramping and Bleeding Start?

Within 30 mins to 4 hours after taking the Misoprostol tablets Uterine contractions and Vaginal bleeding can start. The cramps may feel like when having a spontaneous miscarriage or a bad menstrual period.

The bleeding should never be over 2 pads an hour for 2 hours in a row. Passage of large blood clots is not unusual. Just prior to passage of the pregnancy tissue, uterine cramps may increase in intensity and the bleeding become significantly heavier.

Immediately after passage of the pregnancy tissue, the bleeding and the moderate to severe cramping subsides.

What is Required To Help Control Pain During The Abortion Pill Process?

Over 50% of women do not require any form of pain control. Approximately 40% of women only require over the counter pain medication such as Aleve, Ibuprofen or Extra Strength Tylenol. Less than 8% of patients need some form of narcotic for pain control.

How Long Does It Take For The Pregnancy Tissue To Pass?

For women who are 12 weeks or less pregnant, there is greater than a 50% chance of the pregnancy tissue passing within the first 4 hours of taking Misoprostol. Approximately 90% of patient’s pass the gestational tissue within 24 hours.

Women who are 13 weeks or further take generally longer to pass the pregnancy tissue with the average being between 8 and 16 hours.

What Are The Side Effects Of RU 486?

The side effects of RU 486 are minimal and occur less than 3% of the time. They include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vaginal bleeding. In 1% of patient’s, taking the RU 486 tablet alone may cause the termination of pregnancy to occur.

Cramping and bleeding are common abortion pill side effects.

What Are The Side Effects Of Misoprostol?

The most common side effects that occur after taking Misoprostol are shivering, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, low grade temperature and vaginal bleeding.

What Are The Complications That May Occur?

• Retained pregnancy tissue in the Uterus may cause prolonged lower abdominal pain and infection.
• Heavy Vaginal Bleeding. Bleeding of more than 2 pads an hour for 2 hours in a row needs to be evaluated by medical personnel immediately.
• Severe lower abdominal pain that lasts for 24 hours or longer may indicate infection or ectopic pregnancy and must undergo medical evaluation emergently.
• Temperature greater than 101.4 needs to be evaluated by medical personnel rapidly.
• Failed Abortion- It is rare but there may be no bleeding or cramps. The abortion pill does not work and will require a surgical abortion.
• Septic Infection that in rare cases may lead to death- Women who are difficult to arouse, experiencing severe lower abdominal pain for more than 24 hours, have a foul and odorous vaginal discharge may have developed a rare but serious infection requiring immediate hospitalization with hydration and antibiotics. This infection occurs in women who have spontaneous abortions, normal deliveries and GYN surgeries. Thus not unique to only Abortion Pill Procedures.

Abortion Pill After Care

For most women who undergo the medical abortion process in the first trimester of pregnancy, they may resume their normal activities the following day.

Women who are 6 weeks or less pregnant may engage in sexual intercourse the same day after passing of the pregnancy tissue. Breast feeding may resume 12 hours after taking the last Misoprostol tablets.

Women should follow-up with their medical personnel for a pregnancy test and sonogram 2 to 4 weeks after completion of the abortion procedure.

Ovulation may occur 5 to 7 days after an abortion procedure. Sperm can live up to 5 days. Thus it is imperative to use or begin dome form of birth control immediately after undergoing the Abortion Pill Process.

In Summary

The non-invasive nature of the abortion pill makes it a preferred option for many individuals seeking abortion, offering privacy and convenience compared to surgical alternatives.

While the pill has been surrounded by political and social debates, its medical efficacy is well-supported by research, and it continues to provide an important option for reproductive healthcare.

It’s crucial for individuals considering this method to consult healthcare professionals to fully understand the process, potential side effects, and aftercare.

Contact us if you need help.

Dr James S Pendergraft Abortion Clinic Orlando, www.womencenter.com.