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			termination : first trimester medical abortion Medical Abortion with RU-486

	more methotrexate ru-486 surgery		Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy after implantation. Surgical abortions are done by placing an instrument into the uterine cavity and applying suction. RU-486 (mifepristone) is a pill which causes a medical abortion (a non-surgical abortion). It is sometimes called the "French abortion pill." RU-486 is an anti-progestin. It blocks the effect of progesterone on the lining of the uterus. It is followed by taking a prostaglandin called misoprostol 48 hours later. Shortly thereafter 95% of women who have this type of medical abortion will abort. Complete information about the use of RU-486 (mifepristone) to terminate a pregnancy will be available from your clinician when this type of abortion is formally approved in the United States. Advantages: This type of abortion may be done in a clinician's office without surgery. This may mean greater privacy. Medical abortion is safe, effective and can be done without an instrument being placed into the uterus. No anesthesia is needed. Many women do not have negative feelings after an abortion but feel relieved. Disadvantages: Cramping and pain may occur. Bleeding after treatment lasts an average of 9 days. Some people may feel guilty at having ended a pregnancy. RU-486 can only be used early in pregnancy, up to about 9 weeks after your last period. Where do I go to have a medical abortion and how do I decide? If you are pregnant and did not plan to be, you have a very important decision to make. Talk to your clinician or family planning clinic staff about this decision and where to go to have a safe abortion. Your decision should be to do what you, yourself, feel is right. You may want to discuss this decision with your husband, partner, a counselor, friend or family member. The earlier in pregnancy an abortion is done, the safer and less expensive it is. As of June 1997 it is not possible to obtain a medical abortion using RU-486 in the U.S. What if I only recently had unprotected sex? For 72 hours AFTER unprotected sex, you can take emergency contraceptive pills to avoid becoming pregnant. For up to 7 days AFTER unprotected sex, you can have an IUD put in. Not all clinicians know about emergency contraception. If you want more information or would like the phone numbers of clinicians near you who prescribe emergency contraception, CALL the toll-free hotline 1-888-NOT-2-LATE or 1-800-584-9911. Some of these sources of help are free.

			Last Update: 12/13/2005