What is the difference between medical abortion and surgical abortion?

In Australia, around one in four People who are able to get pregnant will have medical or surgical abortion during their lives.

Both options are secure, legal and effective. The choice between them usually boils down to personal preferences and availability.

So what is the difference?

What is medical abortion?

Medical abortion includes taking two types of tablets sold together in Australia MS2STEP.

The first tablet, Mifepriston, stops the progesterone hormone, which is needed for pregnancy. This causes that the lining of the uterus breaks down and stops the cultivation of the embryo.

After taking Mifepristone, you wait 36-48 hours before taking the second tablet, mischrostol. Misoprostol makes the cervix (opening the uterus) softer and starts cramps to excrete pregnancy.

It is normal that he has severe pain and severe bleeding with cloths after taking mizoprostol. Pain relief including ibuprofen And paracetamol can support.

After two to six hours, bleeding and pain usually become like a normal period, although it can last from two to six weeks.

Hemorrhage after medical abortion rare (occurring in less than 1% abortion). But you should seek support if the bleeding remains hard (if you immerse two pads per hour for two consecutive hours) or if you have signs of infection (such as fever, increasing abdominal pain or smelly vaginal secretion).

Do I have to go to the hospital?

Medical abortion is legal outside the hospital up to nine weeks of pregnancy.

Depending on state law or territoryDrugs can be prescribed by a qualified healthcare supplier, such as a general doctor, nurse Or Employed midwife. These clinicians often work in GP operations or sexual and reproductive health clinics and can operate teo.

Medical abortions also occur after nine weeks of pregnancy, but they take place in hospitals and supervised by doctors together with nurses or midwives.

Medical abortions after 20 weeks are performed by taking medication to start early labor in the maternity unit. Often, medicines are often taken to stop the heartbeat of the fetus so that it is not alive. Then other drugs are given to deal with pain.

This kind of abortions They are very rare. Can be used when obstacle He prevented someone from access to abortion before, continuing pregnancy is unsafe to health or if there is a solemn fetal problem.

What is surgical abortion?

Surgical abortions are performed in an operational unit, usually with sedation, so you don’t remember the procedure. Surgical abortions are sometimes preferred than medical abortions because they are faster. But the decision should take place between you and your doctor.

In the first 12-14 weeks of pregnancy, Surgical abortion takes less than 15 minutes And patients are usually written a few hours after surgery.

Drugs can be administered before the surgery soften and open the cervix and to alleviate the pain. During the treatment, the cervix is ​​slightly stretched, and the uterine content is removed with a compact tube. This procedure is carried out by trained doctors with the support of nurses.

Surgical abortions after 12-14 weeks are more sophisticated and are performed by specially trained doctors. As in the case of medical abortions, drugs can be given first to stop the heartbeat of the fetus.

It is normal to experience certain contractions and bleeding after surgical abortion, which can last about two weeks. However, like medical abortion, you should seek support in case of severe bleeding or signs of infection.

Do I need ultrasound?

It used to be common before abortion to have an ultrasonic scan to see how far pregnant it is and make sure it is not ectopic (except for the uterus).

However, this is no longer recommended in the early stages of pregnancy (up to 14 weeks) if it delays access to abortion. If the date of the last menstrual period is known and there are no other symptoms, Ultrasound scan may not be necessary.

This means that people can access medical abortion much earlier, even from the first day of the omitted period, without waiting To make the embryo enormous enough, so that it can be seen on the ultrasound scan. This is called “very early medical abortion”.

Before and after care

Before abortion, the healthcare provider will explain common side effects and when to look for urgent medical assistance. For people who want this, many types of contraception can start on the day of abortion.

Although the success rate of medical abortion is very high (over 95%) Routine is made sure that a person is no longer pregnant.

It is usually done two to three weeks later Taking the first Mifepriston tablet, or with the support of a pregnancy test with low urine sensitivity (which can be done at home) or a blood test.

In a scarce case, medical abortion did not work, surgical abortion can be carried out.

Sometimes after medical or surgical abortion, the tissue remains in the uterus. If this happens, you may need another dose of mizoprostol (second tablet) or surgical procedure to remove tissue.

Some people may also look for advice based on the support or support of peer to support them work through emotions that may accompany abortion.

Understanding the differences and similarities between medical and surgical abortions can support people make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

It is critical to talk to an impartial healthcare provider to discuss the best option in your circumstances and make sure you receive the necessary control care and support.