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. The non-surgical abortion is also referred to as a medical abortion or a medication abortion.
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 abortion method consists of two medications taken 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. 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 abortion procedure was successful and you are healing well.
Approximately 95% of the patients who choose this abortion 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 abortion 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 abortion procedure at no further cost.
Mifepristone/Misoprostol 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 also called the abortion pill and it is administered in the office orally. Misoprostol will be given to you to take at home the next day. 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 abortion procedure was successful and you are healing well.
Approximately 95% of the patients who choose this abortion 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.