Medical abortion

Day 1. Appointment to the midwife or doctor at the gynecology clinic at the hospital.

• We will check your blood pressure, iron levels and ask for a urine sample. There will also be a gynecological examination and a vaginal ultrasound.
• At the hospital you’ll be given a tablet Mifegyne to swallow. The tablet stops the hormone that allows the pregnancy to continue.
• Its best to eat something before you take this tablet, you’re less likely to suffer from nausea or vomiting. If you vomit within an hour of taking the tablet come back to the clinic for another one.
• You can experience abdominal pain similar to menstrual cramp. Take a pain killer such as Alvedon or Ipren if needed. Sometimes you can start bleeding before you take Cytotec, the next treatment step. It’s important that you continue the treatment and take Cytotec as planned despite the bleeding

Day 2-4. Continue treatment at home (in some cases on the hospital)

(ideally 24-48 hours, up to 72 hours after Mifegyne tablet)

• To prevent discomfort take the pain killers you’ve been given at the hospital and then insert 4 Cytotec tablets in your vagina.
• Usually within 1 – 6 hours the uterus starts to contract causing bleeding similar to menstrual bleeding but with some clots.
• If you haven’t started bleeding after 3 hours, take 2 more Cytotec tablets orally.
• If you’re in pain take Oxynorm 5 mg. If you need to you can take more painkillers during the day or the next few days, for example Ipren 500mg or Alvedon 1g. It can help to take a walk or to use a hot water bottle.
• You can feel nauseous. It helps if you eat and drink small amounts. If you’ve been given medication for the nausea it’s ok to take it. When the bleeding gets heavier, the pain and nausea usually get better. Shaking and diarrhoea can occur, these are a side effects of the medication.
• Normally you will bleed for around 10 days, but can continue to bleed for a month or longer. Your menstruation usually starts again 4-6 weeks after the abortion and can be heavier than usual at first. Pregnancy symptoms such as swollen tender breasts, tiredness and nausea usually disappear within a few days. Get in touch with your midwife if you still have pregnancy symptoms a week after the abortion.
• As long as you’re bleeding you have an increased risk of developing an infection. Avoid baths and intercourse whilst still bleeding. Call Gynakuten if you have severe abdominal pain, smelly vaginal discharge, high temperature or heavy bleeding which doesn’t slow down.