Medical termination of pregnancy
At a consultation with a gynecologist, taking into account medical history and lifestyle, the patient decides which method of termination of pregnancy is suitable for her. The final decision to terminate a pregnancy is made by the woman. The doctor’s professional approach eliminates any pressure on the patient’s decision.
Drugs used in medical abortion
At the ONA clinic in St. Petersburg, certified, reliable and proven drugs are used for medical termination of pregnancy:
Mechanism of action of drugs
Pregnancy up to 6 weeks is highly dependent on the amount of progesterone in a woman’s body. Medical termination of pregnancy is based on the entry of a progesterone antagonist into the body, thereby stopping the pregnancy and starting the process of rejection of the fertilized egg.
The second drug included in the abortion regimen causes contraction of the uterus, thereby provoking fetal rejection and the appearance of menstruation.
Benefits of medical abortion
Some of the main advantages of early medical abortion are:
- psychological and emotional comfort of a woman
- minimal trauma to the uterus
- lack of preparation for the procedure
- no anesthesia and no need to stay in hospital
Preparing for an abortion
A medical abortion consists of four visits. During the first visit, it is extremely important to conduct a full examination of the woman, establish the gestational age, identify contraindications or health conditions, prescribe the necessary tests and, if necessary, recommend consultation with a psychologist. No special preparation is required from the patient before the first visit.
After all the necessary studies, a date for the second visit is set.
The process of medical abortion
A repeat visit is scheduled no earlier than 48 hours after the first visit. On the day of the follow-up visit, the patient comes to the clinic and takes the first abortion drug and remains in the clinic for at least 2 hours under the supervision of a doctor. Then the day of the third visit is set. Typically this happens within 36-48 hours. On the third visit, also under the supervision of a doctor, the patient takes the second drug from the regimen and remains in the clinic until vaginal bleeding occurs. After which the doctor allows the patient to return home.
A fourth visit is necessary to monitor the procedure. During this visit, the doctor conducts an examination and performs an ultrasound, and also explains how the recovery will proceed and what recommendations should be followed during this period.
In some individual cases, both drugs from the regimen are taken by the patient on the same day. The patient gets acquainted with the full treatment plan during a consultation with a gynecologist.
Possible complications after the procedure
Medical abortion practically does not cause serious complications and consequences for the woman’s health. However, in rare cases, taking drugs for medical termination of pregnancy can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, dizziness, and fever.
If the temperature rises for a long time to 38 degrees or higher and bleeding increases, you should promptly consult a doctor. Excessive bleeding is considered to be the consumption of two pads per hour for two hours (2 pieces - 1 hour - 2 hours).
If you experience severe pain that is not relieved by painkillers, or if you experience discharge with an unpleasant odor or clots of pus, you should also immediately consult a doctor, call emergency services, or go to the hospital yourself.
Rehabilitation after
In most cases, the rehabilitation period passes calmly, without medical assistance. The patient observes heavy bleeding for 7-10 days, after which it decreases or stops completely. In rare cases, bloody discharge may occur before the next menstruation begins. During the rehabilitation period, it is important for the patient to follow the rules and recommendations of the doctor. These include:
- Sexual rest until the next menstruation
- Moderate physical activity
- Ban on tampons and menstrual cups
- Prohibition on warming procedures such as sauna, steam bath, solarium, hot bath
- Restrictions on visiting swimming pools and open water bodies
