Abortion Pill Facts
Abortion Pill for Planned Parenthood
Abortion is the medical termination of pregnancy. Prior to doing the process, it is advisable to consult a physician and have tests conducted to ascertain that pregnancy has occurred. Once confirmed, and the fetus is not over nine weeks old, the best way to stop the continuation of pregnancy is to take an abortion pill which will help in the ejection of the uterine contents.
The pill used for abortion is otherwise known as the RU-486 and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to aid the abortion process. The pill combines two medications – misoprostol and mifepristone, which in combination can assist an abortion within four hours of ingestion. The effectiveness and safety of this type of abortion is limited if done before the period of nine weeks once pregnancy has occurred.
Under advice of your physician the medications can be administered after you undergo a check to determine your health condition. The abortion pill is not recommended for a woman who is diagnosed as hypertensive, diabetic, asthmatic or with a cardiac or bleeding problem. The pill is also not recommended for those who have been diagnosed to have an ectopic pregnancy.
Mifepristone obstructs the production of the hormone progesterone which aids in the maintenance of pregnancy successfully. Once this hormone is effectively blocked, the lining of the uterus begins to shed and is ejected by means of bleeding through the now softened cervix aborting the contents of the uterus. Bleeding may be heavy or light as in spotting. Sometimes bleeding may not occur with mifepristone. In such a case, the second pill called Misoprostol is prescribed – to be taken within 48 hours of taking the first pill – either orally or vaginally inserted.
Abortion Pill vs Surgical Abortion
The abortion pill has been successful in 95 percent cases in terminating pregnancy effectively if taken within 9 weeks of pregnancy, and comes highly recommended by the World Health Organization as it also prevents maternal death caused by risk of infection in cases of surgery. It is also comparatively a cheaper option, avoiding the administration of anesthesia and the use of painkillers post operation. Complications arising after surgery are also avoided thereby reducing further medical treatment.
The only disadvantage of the abortion pill are the chances of bleeding occurrence which may continue for weeks. In a few rare instances there has also been a stray case of infection developing. There is also a five percent chance of continuing pregnancy where abortion pills have found to be ineffective. In a few cases the pill may take a few days to take effect. It is strongly advised to consult with your doctor in case of any complication like heavy bleeding or a secondary infection arising out of taking an abortion pill.
The abortion pill is available over the counter or at a Planned Parenthood health center at between $350 and $650 and is safe and effective if taken in the early stages of pregnancy, preferably within the first nine weeks.
Medication abortion has come a long way to help with undesired pregnancy.