This article is professionally consulted by Dr. Ngo Thi Uyen, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
As one of the safe medical abortion methods, emergency contraceptive pills interrupt the continuation of the natural pregnancy process without surgery.
1. Safe Medical Abortion
This method of abortion is only applicable for pregnancies that are 5 to 7 weeks old and have implanted in the uterus. For pregnancies of 8 weeks or older, the medical abortion method is not used. The abortion medication will stop the development of the fetus and stimulate uterine contractions to expel the fetus from the uterus.
Medical abortion is considered the safest, quickest method, with no impact on the health and mental well-being of the pregnant woman.
What are the side effects of a medical abortion?
- Nausea, diarrhea, and even vomiting may occur. However, these issues are not abnormal and will resolve quickly.
- Headaches and dizziness can occur after the body absorbs the medication, so it is recommended to drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Avoid stimulants such as coffee and alcohol, and only take pain relievers when the pain reaches its peak.
- A common but not dangerous symptom in a small number of women is a high fever accompanied by chills.
2. Signs of a Successful Medical Abortion
The medical abortion method is effective in terminating pregnancy in 96–98% of cases. So, what about the remaining 2–4%, and what are the signs of a successful medical abortion?
- Passage of blood clots: After taking the two abortion pills, the first pill halts the development of the fetus, while the second pill induces uterine contractions to expel the fetus. After taking the second pill, you may notice blood clots, indicating that the fetus has been expelled through the vaginal canal.
- Vaginal bleeding for several days: This bleeding is similar to a regular menstrual cycle and may last 5 to 7 days. The bleeding will be heaviest on the first day and gradually decrease in the following days.
- Lower abdominal pain: After taking the second pill, the medication starts to take effect, causing uterine contractions to expel the contents of the uterus, leading to lower abdominal pain.
- Mild fever and chills: These symptoms occur as the body reacts to the effects of the abortion medication. There is no need to worry too much if you experience mild fever and chills after taking the medication.
- Nausea and diarrhea: At this stage, the body is reacting to the medication, which can cause weakness and fatigue. These symptoms typically resolve quickly.
- Pregnancy test shows one line: It is recommended to use a pregnancy test to check if the medical abortion was successful. After the bleeding has stopped, you can use the test. If the test shows one line, it indicates that the hCG levels in your body have dropped, suggesting that the abortion was successful.
3. Signs of an Unsuccessful Medical Abortion
- Severe abdominal pain, excessive vaginal bleeding, and prolonged spotting that lasts for more than 10 days without improvement.
- After taking the second dose of medication as instructed, no blood clots are expelled from the vagina, indicating that the pregnancy has not been terminated.
- High fever, headache, chills, fatigue, dizziness, and occasional fainting that last for several days.
- Abnormal vaginal discharge with a foul odor, which could indicate retained tissue from the pregnancy.
- A pregnancy test still showing two lines, with multiple tests giving the same result, suggesting that the medical abortion was unsuccessful.
What to do if a medical abortion is unsuccessful?
You should return to a healthcare center immediately for an examination and proper treatment. If left untreated, it may not only affect your health and fertility but could also pose a life-threatening risk.
The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Vinmec provides consultations and family planning services. With a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors, all information about medical conditions will be carefully analyzed, monitored, and assessed. After the examination, all details are kept confidential, ensuring you can fully trust the medical services provided here.
4. Unusual signs may occur after a medical abortion
If you experience any of these abnormal signs, you should return to a healthcare center immediately for examination and monitoring.
- Increasing and continuous abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding, which is a common abnormal symptom. Bleeding may last for at least a week, and the amount of blood can be significant. In some cases, bleeding can persist for up to two months after a medical abortion. This is a concerning and dangerous abnormality, and you should return to the healthcare center for a doctor’s examination and monitoring.
- A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, or chills that last more than one day.
- No bleeding within 24 hours after taking the medication.
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
The use of medication for abortion should be done under the guidance and prescription of a specialist. You should not take the medication without a doctor's prescription to avoid serious complications that could affect your overall health and reproductive health.
To arrange an appointment, please call HOTLINE or make your reservation directly HERE. You may also download the MyVinmec app to schedule appointments faster and manage your reservations more conveniently.
