EARLY ABORTION PILL (MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY)

Early Medical Abortion (abortion pill)

You can have an early medical abortion (EMA) using an abortion pill up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Early Abortion Pill Treatment

The abortion tablet is swallowed and works by blocking the action of progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain the pregnancy. tablets which can either be inserted in to the vagina or in the mouth against the gum (buccal). These contain a hormone called prostaglandin. Prostaglandins occur naturally in the body and help the uterus to contract.

Acting together they will bring on an abortion.

EMA has a very good safety record, however, every form of medical treatment carries some risks or side effects. With this treatment, the main risks are:

• Excessive vaginal bleeding
• Incomplete abortion
• Infection
• Allergic reactions

VISITS TO THE ABORTION CLINIC

First visit

• You will be given a tablet to swallow with a glass of water.
• You will be given your next appointment time and a number to call if you are worried or have any questions.

Second visit

After your first visit, you will be asked to return to the clinic between 24 and 48 hours later. You must keep this appointment. There is a waiting room for your supporter whilst you are having treatment.

•  Any symptoms that you may have experienced since your first appointment will be discussed with you by a nurse. If all has been well, your early abortion-pill treatment will continue.
• You will be given pain relief to be administered rectally.
• A nurse will insert abortion pill either vaginally or buccally or you can choose to put them in place yourself. The tablet helps your body to expel the pregnancy so you will start to bleed and have period-like pains.

One visit

We also offer simultaneous administration of early medical abortion.  This involves taking both parts of the early medical abortion medication at the same time, in one clinic visit.

• Your pregnancy should be dated at 9 + 0 weeks or under to have this type of abortion
• This involves an oral tablet and four vaginal tablets.
• The vaginal tablets are preferably administered by a nurse to ensure correct insertion, however they can be self-administered if you feel confident to do so

Failure Rates

Failure rate of simultaneous and 6 hourly (EMA) is thought to be around 4 in 100 (compared to around 2 in 100 for staged EMA).

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS

All women react differently to this treatment. Some have heavy bleeding and quite a lot of pain, while others have very little bleeding and mild pain. Most women are in between the two, however, it is important to remember that this is not a completely pain-free procedure.

You may experience the following:

• Nausea or sickness
• A feeling of light-headedness
• Feeling feverish
• High temperature
• Diarrhoea

You can leave the clinic after the treatment. You should take it easy for a couple of hours. After this time you may find that moving around will ease any discomfort.

The abortion usually takes place between 4 and 6 hours following the insertion of the tablets however in some cases the abortion can take place earlier or later (up to 7 days later).