RU-486/Abortion Pill (Mifeprex) is a form of early abortion caused by the combination of two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which is needed to maintain the pregnancy. Because this hormone is blocked, the uterine lining begins to shed, the cervix begins to soften and bleeding may occur. With the later addition of the second medication, misoprostol, the uterus contracts and the pregnancy is usually expelled within 6 to 8 hours. To receive the RU486, a woman must go to a clinic for a prescreening exam. After the exam, she will have to return to the clinic and take the pill, which stops the developing pregnancy. She leaves the clinic with a second medication called misoprostol. The misoprostol is taken at home, and it induces uterine cramping and contraction so that the pregnancy can be expelled from the body. Bleeding will vary from woman to woman. Some women experience heavy bleeding like that of a heavy period with clots, others do not bleed until after taking the misoprostol. The expulsion of the pregnancy which occurs at home, mimics a natural miscarriage. The woman must return to the clinic for an examination in order to confirm the success of the procedure. When used in combination, mifepristone and misoprostol are 95-97% effective.
Click here to see images of early abortions What you should consider: Most of the side effects when using this early abortion option are caused by the second medication, misoprostol. Side-effects may include heavy bleeding, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and heavy cramping. Vaginal bleeding during the induced miscarriage could be extremely heavy. In rare situations it could require a surgical abortion and very rarely, a blood transfusion. If pregnancy is continued after taking these medications, there is a high risk of fetal deformities. Mifepristone and misoprostol should not be used if you: Have had a blood clotting problem or are taking anticoagulant medicine, severe anaemia, adrenal failure. Are taking long-term systemic corticosteroids. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, or a mass in the tubes or ovaries. Have inherited porphyria. Are allergic to mifepristone, misoprostol or other prostaglandin medicine and you are suffering from severe diarrhoea. According to studies of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the National Abortion Federation, there are no known long term risks associated with using mifepristone and misoprostol. Therefore, women may pursue another pregnancy whenever they feel the time is right after using the Abortion Pill. * Methotrexate can also be used to end an early pregnancy. Some people confuse the Abortion Pill with EC (Emergency Contraception Pills), "Plan B" . The pro life, anti abortion lobby insists that that Emergency Contraception and regular birth control pills also cause abortions, this is not true. They are different medications for very different purposes. Medical abortion ( abortion pill or mifepristone, RU486) terminates a pregnancy. The Abortion Pill causes pregnancy termination and is used after pregnancy is established, yet, early in the pregnancy (8 weeks since last menstrual period). Emergency Contraception, also known as the "morning after pill" or Plan B, is used to prevent pregnancy when taken within days after unprotected intercourse. Emergency Contraception does not cause abortion and it will not harm an existing pregnancy. More information about RU486, abortion pill, medical abortion: Where to buy the RU486, abortion pill? http://www.womenonwaves.org/article-1020.1673-en.html Where to find misoprostol? http://www.womenonwaves.org/article-1020.1668-en.html http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_07_031005/dec10429fm.html Medical Journal of Australia http://www.medicationabortion.com English, French, Spanish, and Arabic. http://www.womenonwaves.org/article-1020.1655-en.html Q&A http://www.earlyoptions.org http://www.arhp.org/factsheets/mifepristone_ec.cfm Q&A about the difference of RU486 and EC Information about Mifegynehttp://www.mifegyne.com/ in German, English, French and Italian.  |
