What is Medical Abortion?
Medical Abortion is the way to terminate the pregnancy by drugs. These are done using approved drugs prescribed by medical practitioners specially gynecologist.
There are many laws in India regarding Medical Abortion.
Who needs a Medical Abortion?
The reasons for having a medical abortion could be medical or very personal. It is a serious undertaking by both the doctor and the couple. It involves both mental and physical pain. There are also several legalities involved to go through before the abortion process could be started.
Medical reasons could be a defect in fetus or abnormality which cannot be cured. A pregnancy is also aborted when there is threat to either the mother’s or the child’s life.
Failure of any contraceptive method used by the couple is also an indication to terminate the pregnancy.
How is it done?
Medical Abortions are highly safe and effective during the first trimester of the pregnancy. The most common methods adopted for medical abortion are
Oral medication
This is possible only if done within certain weeks of the pregnancy. The medication could be taken at home and follow ups are needed to make sure that the abortion is complete.
Oral and vaginal
This method involves medically inducing the vagina to terminate the pregnancy along with oral medication. This needs hospital stay.
Apart from these, sometimes there is need of injections or surgical procedure which depends on duration of the pregnancy and specific history of the patients. Though these procedures are rare and are done in very selective cases following the laws.
After the Medication, following symptoms are commonly experienced
- Vomiting
- Fever and Headache
- Nausea
- Chills
- Pain and bleeding
- Loose motions
Rest and diet are important during this period. A doctor suggests in advance what to expect as per the case.
How long does it take to recover?
After the procedure is over there are certain symptoms that the women might go through. However the following need immediate attention
- Excess bleeding and pain
- Fever
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Extreme Weakness
It is of utmost important to make follow-up visits to the doctor to make sure that the abortion has been done completely. Any residue left could cause further issues like intermittent cramps, spotting or bleeding, foul smelling vaginal discharge which needs to be addressed and treated immediately.
Another pregnancy is possible right after the procedure is done successfully. In some cases the doctor might suggest some waiting period to recover. It is better to use regular contraception to avoid repeated medical abortions.
For Medical abortion related information and procedure, contact Dr Leena Patil, MBBS, MS – Obstetrics & Gynaecology. She has over 10 years of experience in fields like Dysmenorrhea Treatment, High-Risk Pregnancy Care, Infertility Evaluation / Treatment, Tubectomy/Tubal Ligation and Gynaec Problems and more.
