Abortion Pill / Medication Abortion
With Mifepristone and Misoprostol |
Aspiration Abortion
(Suction or Vacuum Aspiration) |
| 1. How far along in the pregnancy can I be? |
| Up to 9 weeks from the first day of your last period. |
Up to 12 weeks from the first day of your last period. |
| 2. What will happen? |
• The actual abortion takes place at home.
• In the office, you swallow the abortion pill (mifepristone). Most women feel fine after taking mifepristone. Some women have nausea.
• At home, 6-72 hours later, you insert the misoprostol pills.
• The abortion usually starts 1-4 hours after you take the misoprostol. You will probably have heavy bleeding and cramps for a couple of hours.
• You return to the office about 1 week later. |
• The abortion takes place in the office.
• The actual abortion procedure takes 5 to 10 minutes.
• The doctor will put instruments in your vagina and uterus to remove the pregnancy.
• You return to your regular doctor or to the office where you had the abortion 1-2 weeks later. |
| 3. How painful is it? |
| Women have mild to very strong cramps off and on during the abortion. Pain pills help. |
Women have mild to very strong cramps during the abortion. Pain pills help. |
| 4. How much will I bleed? |
| Heavy bleeding with clots is common during the abortion. After that, lighter bleeding may continue off and on for 1-2 weeks or more. |
Most women have light bleeding for 1-7 days. Bleeding may continue off and on for a few weeks. |
| 5. How much does it cost? |
| For both types of abortion, the exact cost depends on where you go. |
| 6. Can the abortion fail? |
| The pills work 98-99% of the time. If the pills fail, you must have an aspiration abortion. |
It works 99% of the time. If it fails, you must have a repeat aspiration. |
| 7. Can I still have children afterwards? |
| YES. Neither type of abortion lowers your chances of getting pregnant or staying pregnant in the future. |
| 8. Is it safe? |
| Both pills have been used safely for over 10 years. Big problems are rare. Medication abortion is at least 10 times safer than continuing a pregnancy. |
Aspiration abortion has been done safely for over 25 years. Abortion in the first 12 weeks leads to very few problems. Abortion is at least 10 times safer than continuing a pregnancy. |
| 9. What are the advantages? |
• You won’t have shots, anesthesia, or instruments in your body
• It may feel more natural, like a miscarriage.
• It can be done earlier in the pregnancy than an aspiration abortion.
• Being at home instead of in an office may be more private.
• You can choose to have someone with you, or you can be alone |
• It is over in a few minutes.
• It works 99% of the time.
• You see less bleeding than you would with a medication abortion.
• Medical staff members are with you during the abortion.
• A counselor may be there for support.
• It can be done later in the pregnancy than with a medication abortion. |
| 10. What are the disadvantages? |
• It takes 1-2 days to complete the abortion.
• It is not the same for all women.
• Bleeding can be very heavy and may last longer than with an aspiration abortion.
• Cramps can be severe and last longer than with an aspiration abortion.
• It cannot be done as late in pregnancy as an aspiration abortion.
• It cannot end a tubal pregnancy. |
• A doctor must insert instruments inside the uterus.
• Anesthetics & pain medicines may cause side effects.
• You have less control over the abortion procedure and who is with you.
• The vacuum aspirator may seem noisy.
• It cannot be done as early in pregnancy as a medication abortion.
• It cannot end a tubal pregnancy. |
