After your first visit, the consultation, we will schedule your appointment to receive an oral dose of Mifeprex® from the physician. You'll take the second drug (misoprostol) home with you to insert vaginally between 6 and 72 hours later. About one to four hours after taking misoprostol, your uterus will begin to contract. You'll have cramping and bleeding, and the pregnancy will be expelled. The process is usually completed within 24 hours.

3 weeks after taking the Mifeprex®, you will take a pregnancy test to determine whether the abortion has been completed. If the results are positive or faint positive you will need to come in for a follow up.  During this visit we will perform an ultrasound to determine whether or not you are still pregnant.  An advocate will go over your options which would include a surgical abortion to end the pregnancy.

The Effectiveness of Abortion Using Mifeprex®

Studies have shown that the non-surgical abortion using Mifeprex® is highly effective. Worldwide, millions of women have successfully used mifepristone for many years. There is a 5-7% chance that this abortion method will fail, making it necessary for the woman to return for a surgical abortion (at no additional charge). We have had 95% effectiveness with Mifeprex® and misoprostol.

Symptoms and Side Effects

Most women will experience cramping and bleeding, which usually means that the method is working. Bleeding may be similar to, or heavier than, a normal heavy period. You may see blood clots and tissue that come from the uterus. This is an expected part of ending the pregnancy. Bleeding or spotting will usually last an average of 9 to 16 days and may last for up to 30 days. In rare cases (1 woman in 100), bleeding can be very heavy and may need to be stopped by a surgical procedure. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, fever, headache, dizziness, and diarrhea.

After the Abortion We’ll give you written and verbal instructions on care after the abortion.  We’ll also give you birth control if requested.  No follow-up appointment is necessary although we will require the results of a pregnancy test to ensure the abortion is complete.  Our staff is available 24 hours a day to answer any of your post-abortion questions or concerns.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-surgical Abortion

Women in the clinical trials cited several reasons for choosing non-surgical over surgical abortion, including avoiding surgery or anesthesia, greater privacy, a greater sense of control, and wanting a method that is "more natural, like a miscarriage." However, non-surgical abortion may require more visits to the clinic and may take several weeks to complete. If the method is unsuccessful, the woman will need to undergo a surgical abortion. Also, there are the side effects mentioned previously.

Our physicians perform first trimester abortions (4 through 12 weeks) using vacuum aspiration to minimize any stress and discomfort. We perform second trimester abortions (12 through 19 weeks) using the safe and gentle dilation and evacuation (D&E) method. For second trimester abortions, the physician may insert small dilators (laminaria) into your cervix overnight to dilate the cervix before performing the procedure. Some patients may also receive an oral medication to help the cervix dilate.

Pain Relief Options

Every patient will receive a local anesthetic to numb the cervix. If you choose this option only, as about half our patients do, you can expect to feel some uncomfortable pressure and menstrual-type cramping during the procedure. If you choose local anesthetic with additional pain medication you will receive a shot in your hip to help you relax and lessen the pain of the procedure. If you choose to have conscious sedation, we'll administer medication through an IV that helps you relax and further lessen any discomfort. Please be aware that if you choose additional pain medication or conscious sedation, you'll need someone with you to drive you home and you will have eating and drinking restrictions.

After the Abortion

After the procedure you will rest in our recovery room monitored by nurses and recovery room staff. We will give you written and verbal instructions on care after the abortion. We'll also give you birth control if requested. No follow-up appointment is necessary although we will send you home with a pregnancy test to take in 3-4 weeks and we offer follow-up appointments at no additional charge.   Our medical staff is available 24 hours a day to answer any of your post-abortion questions or concerns.

We use Plan B®, a hormonal method that consists of oral medication. Emergency contraception will not affect an existing pregnancy, and there is no evidence that emergency contraception will cause birth defects if you choose to continue an existing pregnancy.

About a fourth of the women who use emergency contraception experience nausea, and a small percentage experience vomiting. We will give you additional medication to help alleviate the nausea. Some women also experience breast tenderness, abdominal pain, and headaches. These side effects go away within a day or two after you complete your treatment.

We will give you home with a pregnancy test to take in 2 weeks. If it is positive you may be pregnant and can call us to explore your options. There are some circumstances in which a woman should not take emergency contraception. We would be happy to discuss these with you.