Medical abortion: What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Dr., Doctor Ngo Thi Uyen - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Medical abortion is the safest method of abortion, but it is necessary to know the basic information so that you can be more proactive in taking care of yourself after the procedure.

1. What is a medical abortion?

Medical abortion, a medical abortion method, uses emergency drugs to stop the continuance of the natural pregnancy development, without the need for surgery. Abortion drugs stop the development of the fetus, stimulate the uterus to contract to push the embryo out of the uterus.
Medical abortion is applied to the fetus in the uterus, and the medicine will not be effective in case of an ectopic pregnancy.
In case it is not possible to keep the pregnancy, the first method should be a medical abortion. Medical abortion is considered to be the safest and fastest way to get an abortion, without affecting the health and psychology of pregnant women.

2. What to do before performing a medical abortion

First, the doctor will conduct a clinical examination, ultrasound to determine the gestational age, position of the fetus as well as the health status of the pregnant woman to ensure that the pregnant woman is eligible to conduct a medical abortion. The patient will be asked some questions about their own health, about their family background, and you must confirm your decision one last time. Patients will be heard about the procedure as well as advice on post-implantation body care and future contraception. The patient will have to undergo a number of tests and ultrasounds. Finally, you will have to sign a voluntary agreement to have an abortion. However, you should not be too stressed, you can relax or chat with your loved ones to be more comfortable. The patient will not have to be hospitalized when performing a medical abortion, in the first time will only have to stay at the facility for the doctor and staff to monitor, then will be consulted carefully to go home to take care of themselves. Dear.

3. Medical abortion procedure

The entire procedure will not touch the surgical cutlery, so there will be no pain. However, in some cases, according to each location, the patient will experience some unusual symptoms such as headache, abdominal pain as well as fatigue... that is your body's response to receiving the drug, You shouldn't be too worried about this.
The full procedure for a medical abortion is as follows:
After qualifying examination, the patient is assigned to take 1 pill directly at the medical center for monitoring, the drug will have the effect of stopping the growth of the fetus. fetal development. The doctor will then agree to let you go home. The phenomenon of bleeding from the vagina begins as a normal menstrual period. The patient will have to return to the medical center to take 2 more pills with 2 other drugs as prescribed, the doctor will monitor for 4 hours. In 30 minutes to 4 hours, after the body receives the drug, the second type will cause more abdominal pain and blood clots. If you have a lot of blood soaked in 2 tampons in just 1 hour, you need to notify your doctor for re-examination and monitoring After 48 hours from taking the first pill, you will be able to take the second pill. to stimulate the uterus to contract to push the embryo out of the uterus. There will be unintended effects that most women experience when having a medical abortion such as diarrhea, nausea... these phenomena will quickly stop. Stop worrying too much. There is a feeling of headache, dizziness after the body has absorbed the drug, you should drink more filtered water, fruit juice, do not drink stimulant drinks such as coffee, alcohol, only ask your doctor to take pain relief when pain peaks. Usually, after about 14 days after taking the abortion pill, you need to go back to the medical facility for the doctor to check whether the drug abortion is successful or not. The process of the body receiving the drug will not be too long, however, the process of eliminating the fetus and recovering the body will take longer. 2 weeks is enough time to evaluate the outcome of the abortion process.

4. What to do after a medical abortion

Take medicine as prescribed by the doctor Personal hygiene and shower as usual. However, do not douche too deeply into the vagina. You need to change the tampon regularly until the vaginal bleeding completely stops. When the doctor does not ask, you should not abstain from any nutritious foods, especially iron-rich foods such as lean meat, beef, milk, eggs and green vegetables of all kinds. Limit labor and carry heavy objects for the first 2 weeks after the abortion. Abstain from sex at first. If necessary, use safety measures as instructed by the medical center staff. After 2 weeks, women are at risk of getting pregnant again if they don't take precautions during sex. If medical abortion is unsuccessful, it is necessary to go to a medical facility for thorough examination and treatment by other methods, if not done thoroughly later, it will not only affect health and reduce fertility but even threaten one's own life.

5. Signs of successful drug abortion

The drug abortion method is effective in stopping pregnancy up to 96-98% with signs of
Bleeding When having a medical abortion you will have to take 2 pills: 1 pill works to stop the growth of the fetus the fetus, and the second tablet to contract the uterus and push the fetus out. After taking the 2nd pill, you will feel a blood clot.
Bleeding from the vagina for many days Bleeding like a normal menstrual cycle. Bleeding lasts from 5 to 7 days. The amount of bleeding is more on the first day, less in the following days.
Lower abdominal pain Take the second pill, the drug begins to work, the uterus contracts to expel the dirty fluid out of the body, causing lower abdominal pain.
Mild fever, chills Because the body reacts to the effects of the abortion pill, so you don't need to be too worried when you have a slight fever after taking the abortion pill and feel chilled.
Nausea, diarrhea At this time, your body is fighting, reacting to the effects of the drug, so the body is weak and tired. This phenomenon will happen in a very short time.
Pregnancy test stick up 1 line It is recommended to use a pregnancy test to accurately check whether the medication abortion is successful or not.
After vaginal bleeding stops, a pregnancy test can be used. If the pregnancy test shows 1 line, it means that the hCG level in your body is already low, there is a high chance that you have succeeded.

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