The non-surgical abortion procedure offers patients an alternative
to surgical abortion early in their pregnancy. Non-surgical abortions are safer than surgical
abortions; many women find them gentler and feel they are a more "natural" option.
We offer two methods of non-surgical abortion: Methotrexate/Misoprostol and
(RU-486) Mifepristone/Misoprostol
Methotrexate/Misoprostol regimen - The Methotrexate
procedure can be given between the fourth and ninth week of pregnancy, starting from the first day of
your last normal menstrual period. Please see our pregnancy calculator to estimate the gestation of your
pregnancy.This method consists of two medications taken one week apart to chemically
induce a miscarriage. The first medication, Methotrexate, is given either orally or by injection.
The second medication (Misoprostol) will be provided to you at your appointment to take home.
The Misoprostol is used at home five to eight days after the Methotrexate. During the week
between taking the Methotrexate and the Misoprostol, you will be on a restricted diet to
limit your folic acid intake. You will be
instructed to take the Misoprostol in the form of vaginal suppositories, placed high in the vagina near
the cervix, at bedtime about one week after the Methotrexate. Several hours after inserting them,
you will begin to experience menstrual-like cramping and bleeding. The pregnancy tissue is normally
passed at home within 24 to 48 hours after insertion. Bleeding and cramping normally continue for one
to two weeks as the uterus empties. You will return to the office for your follow-up appointment three
weeks after your initial appointment to make sure that the procedure was successful and you are
healing well.
Approximately 95% of the patients who choose this procedure experience complete emptying of
the uterus. Studies have shown the procedure to be more effective when given by the seventh week
of pregnancy. We have had great success with this procedure; however, should it fail, we will
continue to assist you in completing the abortion, as the pregnancy cannot be continued after
the Methotrexate is administered. If the procedure is unsuccessful, more Misoprostol will be
prescribed, or the physician will perform a surgical procedure at no further cost.
Mifepristone/Misoprostol (Mifeprex®) regimen -
This method is often called "the abortion pill"
or RU-486. It can be performed between approximately five weeks and eight weeks LMP and consists
of two medications- Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Please see our pregnancy calculator to estimate the gestation of your pregnancy.
Mifepristone is administered in the office by pill. Misoprostol will be given
to you to take at home in the form of vaginal suppositories three days later. Several hours after
insertion, you will begin bleeding and cramping. The pregnancy tissue is normally passed within 24 to 48 hours.
Bleeding and cramping normally continue for one to two weeks as the uterus empties. You will
return to the office for your follow-up appointment two to three weeks after your initial appointment
to make sure that the procedure was successful and you are healing well.
Approximately 95% of the patients who choose this procedure experience complete emptying
of the uterus. We have had great success with this procedure; however in the event of failure,
we will continue to assist you in completing the abortion. If the procedure is unsuccessful,
more Misoprostol will be prescribed, or the physician will perform a surgical procedure at
no further cost.
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