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PREGNANCY CENTER WEST MEDICAL CLINIC

Abortion Types & Procedures
There are several types of abortion procedures. It is important to
realize that each involves the ending of life and is a permanent
decision. Each also involves physical, emotional, and spiritual risks
for the mother and/or father.

Many are not aware of these risks or the procedures involved. It
is important to be well-educated before getting an abortion. Below
is a short synopsis of the procedures. However, we recommend
you call us for a free appointment at our clinic where we can
personally address your concerns and potential for risk factors.

Medical abortions use drugs or chemicals to end the life of the
developing baby during the early stages of human growth.
Currently, 3 chemicals are used to perform a medical abortion:
methotrexate, misoprotol, and mifepristone (RU-486). These
chemicals are used in combination protocols. 

                          Medical Abortion

Methotrexate
Methotrexate is a chemical that prevents the
developing baby and placenta from properly using folic acid.
Without the normal use of folic acid, the baby cannot make,
repair, or replicate DNA in order to survive, and dies. 

Misoprotol (Cytotec)
Misoprotol (Cytotec) is a chemical that resembles a
prostaglandin in its action. It causes very intense uterine
contractions to expel the developing baby and placenta.
According to the 2001 Physician's Desk Reference, abortions
caused by Cytotec may be incomplete leading to potentially
dangerous bleeding, hospitalization, surgery, infertility, or
maternal deaths.

WARNING: Searle, the manufacturer of Cytotec, warns
against the use of misoprotol in pregnant women. There
have been reports of severe uterine contractions, including
uterine rupture with the use of this drug in pregnant women.
It can also cause diarrhea and abdominal pains.

Mifepristone (RU-486/Abortion Pill/Mifeprex)

Mifepristone (RU-486 / The Abortion Pill/Mifeprex) is a
chemical that blocks the action of the hormone progesterone.
Progesterone is needed to continue the pregnancy by
maintaining the lining of the uterus; this is necessary for
normal implantation as well as normal placental attachment
and development. RU-486 causes the the lining to die and
separate from the uterine wall. When this happens, the baby's
blood supply (carrying nutrients and oxygen) is cut off. Both
the placenta and the baby eventually fall from the uterine wall
attachment site.
 

  • Warnings about the side effects and major complications
    of Mifeprex may include:

    Heart attack
    Heavy and extended bleeding
    Impaired future fertility
    Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Methotrexate and Misoprostol Combination Technique

This technique is used in a pregnancy less than 49 days old (7 weeks
after the first day of the last normal menstrual period).


Procedure Description:

Day 1
Patient should receive necessary blood tests and a sonogram to confirm
the pregnancy and its gestational age. She is given Methotrexate orally
or by injection.

Day 3-7
Patient inserts Misoprostol tablets into her vagina three days after
receiving Methotrexate. Bleeding usually begins within the first 24
hours after inserting Misoprostol. Contractions may begin up to 2 days
later.

Day 8
Patient receives a sonogram one week later to determine whether the
baby is still present there and attached to the uterine wall. If so, a
second dose of Misoprostol is given.

Day 15
A week later, a repeat sonogram is needed to verify that the abortion
is complete. If not the patient will need a D&C. Sometimes the abortion
clinic will elect to observe the patient several weeks before performing
the surgical abortion.

 

Complications/Side Effects:


May require a surgical abortion:

5% of pregnancies at 7 weeks gestational age are not complete
after this procedure and require a D&C.

Up to 16% of pregnancies between 7 and 8 weeks gestational
age are not complete after this procedure and require a D&C.

12% to 35% of women may experience a delay in abortion for up
to 1 month.


Pain
Up to 90% of women may require a pain reliever, sometimes codeine
for cramping and abdominal pain.


Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding can last up to 3 weeks with the passage of blood
clots. Anemic women are not candidates for this procedure.


Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea
Women experiencing these symptoms may require medication to
stop the vomiting and diarrhea.


Infection
May result from retained pregnancy products, undiagnosed STD
or possible destruction of the body's white blood cells.

Sources: Hatcher RA, Nelson AL, Zeiman M et al. A Pocket Guide to Managing
Contraception. Tiger, Georgia: Bridging the Gap Foundation, 2001.
HSS News.  Department of Health and Human Services.  September 28, 2000. 
New England Journal of Medicine, 338: 18, April 30, 1998.






 

 

RU-486 (Mifepristone) / Mifeprex combined with
Misoprotol Technique

RU-486, also known as the "Abortion Pill" was approved for use in a
pregnancy that is no older than 49 days old (7 weeks after the
beginning of the last menstrual period).


Procedure Description:

Day1
Patient should have a pelvic examination, blood tests and a sonogram.
The sonogram will document the viability and gestational age of the
pregnancy. RU-486 is given to cause the destruction of the baby's
nutritional support, and eventually the baby itself. 60-80% of women
will abort after using Mifepristone alone.

Day 3
Within 48 hours after receiving RU-486, Misoprotol is given vaginally
or orally to start uterine contractions. Up to 70% of women will abort
within 4 hours of receiving misoprotol.

Day 14 or 15
Patient will return for a sonogram. Up to 98% of women will have
completed the abortion after receiving both mifepristone and
misoprotol. If the abortion is not complete, she will need a
surgical abortion (D&C).

 

Complications /Side Effects:


May need a surgical abortion
Incomplete abortions occur in about 2% of the women and
continued pregnancy in about 1%.


Bleeding
Sometimes, a woman may have excessive bleeding or
hemorrhaging that requires surgical intervention (<1%) with
rarely needed blood transfusions.


Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
These symptoms may require medications to stop vomiting
and diarrhea.


Tubal Pregnancy
There is a possibility of maternal death in the case of an
undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy.


Sources: Hatcher RA, Nelson AL, Zieman M et al. A Pocket
Guide to Managing Contraception. Tiger, Georgia: Bridging
the Gap Foundation, 2001. HHS News. Department of Health
and Human Services. September 28, 2000. New England Journal
of Medicine, 338: 18. April 30, 1998. s.

 

  


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