Abortion is the process of terminating a pregnancy using prescribed medications. It is a widely used method in many countries, and in India, it’s a legal and relatively safe option for women seeking to end early pregnancies.
What is Medical Abortion?
Medical abortion involves taking medications, usually, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy. These pills work by stopping the pregnancy from progressing and causing the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue.
In India, medical abortion is allowed up to 20-24 weeks of pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
How Medical Abortion Works:
The standard medical abortion regimen involves two steps:
Mifepristone: This medication blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for pregnancy to continue. After taking this pill, the pregnancy stops growing.
Misoprostol: This medication is taken after mifepristone and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. This is usually taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone.
Safety and Side Effects
Medical abortion is considered safe, with minimal complications in most cases. The process can cause side effects such as:
Heavy bleeding: It is common to experience bleeding, which may be heavier than a typical menstrual period. This usually lasts for a few days.
Cramping: You can expect cramps similar to or more intense than menstrual cramps as the body expels the pregnancy tissue.
Other side effects: Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhoea, and breast tenderness are also common.
While these are normal responses, any severe pain or excessive bleeding (soaking more than two sanitary pads per hour) should prompt immediate medical consultation.
Risks and Complications
Although rare, the following complications may occur:
Incomplete abortion: In some cases, not all pregnancy tissue is expelled, requiring additional medication or a minor surgical procedure (dilation and curettage).
Infection: In rare cases, infection can occur if the uterus is not completely cleared.
Medical professionals in India advise follow-up visits to ensure the procedure has been fully successful.
Efficacy of Medical Abortion
When used correctly, medical abortion has a high success rate. The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol successfully terminates pregnancies in about 95-99% of cases. In India, both pills are available with a prescription, and consulting with a healthcare provider ensures the best outcome.
The Importance of Doctor-Supported Abortions
While medical abortion is effective and generally safe, it’s crucial to follow the proper procedures in consultation with a healthcare provider. Self-managed abortions may carry risks, especially if complications arise.
Government-approved clinics offer medical abortion services where doctors can monitor and guide the process, reducing the risks.
Surgical Abortions
A surgical abortion is a medical procedure performed by a healthcare professional, usually in an abortion clinic or hospital. There are two main types of surgical abortion:
Vacuum Aspiration:
It is used up to 16 weeks after the last period. The procedure involves gentle suction to empty the uterus and lasts 5–10 minutes. It is generally not painful, though cramping may occur. Side effects include cramping, bleeding, nausea, dizziness, and sweating.
The procedure is very safe, with fewer than 1% experiencing major complications.
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E):
It is performed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Combines vacuum aspiration, forceps, and dilation and curettage (D&C).
The cervix is dilated, and medications may be given to soften the uterus.
The procedure can be somewhat painful, but numbing medication or anesthesia is provided. It lasts less than 30 minutes, and patients can go home the same day. Side effects include bleeding, cramping, nausea, chills, and breast engorgement.