Induction Abortion

Contraceptive - Family planning

Alternatives to Vaginal Intercourse

Abortion

Induction

Induction Abortion

Up to 7th week of pregnancy

RU-486: Mifepristone:
The medication was invented in France by Dr. Etienne-Emile Baulieu in 1980.
The letters RU are taken from the initials of the pharmaceutical company Roussel-Uclaf. "486" is an arbitrary lab serial number. In 1999 RU-486 was approved for marketing in Germany (most states of Europe and the U.S.) where it is called Mifegyne. It has been used in combination with prostaglandine medication, to induce abortions in about 500,000 women over almost 2 decades.

Methothrexat:
Another medication that might be used (since 1953). But not in Germany.

The course of medical abortion needs some appointments by your physician.

1st Appointment
Gynecological examination: Before an abortion is performed, it is important to establish that the woman is indeed pregnant and measure as accurately as possible how far along her pregnancy is. RU 486 is to taken than within 49 days after the start of the last menstrual period (in U.K. 63 days) and it is not used on women with any of contraindications or a history of:
- older then 35 years
- heavy smoking
- heart problems
- high blood pressure
- and some other diseases

2nd Appointment
After some days last counseling: You need also an acknowledgment of detailed counseling . Your physician give you information's about contraceptives after the abortion.
3 tablets of Mifegyne (600 µg Mifepristone) are to taken. The initial dose often causes some nausea, headache, weakness, diarrhea and/or fatigue.

3th Appointment
One or two days later (36 - 48 hours), the woman takes a prostaglandine pill, typically Misoprostol (400 µg) or a vaginal suppository (1 mg Gemeprost).
This causes her cervix to soften and dilate. Contractions of her uterus and a bleeding begin after 2 - 4 hours. She is observed in the office for this time.
Studies showed that in 54 % of the time, the embryo is expelled within 4 hours. In another 22 % of the time, it is expelled within 24 hours. The medication causes bleeding and deep cramps.

4th Appointment
Some days (10 - 15) later, she returns again for an examination to confirm that the abortion was complete.

Treatment works about 95 % of the time.

Safety: 1 death in 200,000 abortions with RU-486.

Additional information: http://www.mifegyne.com