Medical Abortion

Experiencing an unplanned pregnancy brings with it the responsibility of choosing from the three available options. A woman can see the pregnancy to term and raise it or place it with an adoptive family or she can terminate the pregnancy with an abortion. For those who choose the latter, there are two kinds of abortion they can pursue: medical and in-clinic. A woman won't need to know the difference in the procedures as her health care provider will be able to advise on the most appropriate abortion process for her situation. However, the kind of abortion she will be advised to have relies heavily on how long she has been pregnant.

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The earlier on in the pregnancy that she decides to terminate it, the simpler the process will be. Medical abortions are those that a woman pursues with the use of medication, or abortion pills, as a means to terminate the pregnancy. This kind of abortion may take place at home or at a clinic, and she'll generally be expected to come in for a check-up afterward.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, a woman will not be advised to terminate her pregnancy with the aid of abortion pills if she's more than seven weeks into her pregnancy, which is determined by the first day of a woman's last period. This, theoretically, could mean a woman may not be able to pursue a medical abortion if she has only known she's pregnant for three weeks.

A medical abortion does not affect a woman's ability to conceive in the future, however, misusing the pills or having an adverse reaction to them can affect the abortion and lead to needing a surgical abortion. Women who are heavy smokers or have diabetes, high blood pressure or an intrauterine device may not be able to effective use abortion pills.

The abortion pills used will be a combination of one or more of the following: Mifepristone (RU-486), misprostol or methotrexate. A woman should notice vaginal bleeding in at least two days after her treatments, which will then be followed a month and a half later with a normal menstrual cycle.

Just because this kind of abortion does not require surgery or sedation does not mean a woman should hide her decision from family or friends. Abortion has many emotional consequences that should be talked about and revealed through counseling or supportive conversations.