Comparison of Medical and Surgical Abortionx
Medical Abortion withMifepristone or Mifeprex
Surgical Vacuum Aspiration Abortion
How far along in the pregnancy can I be?
Up to 8 weeks (49 days) for best success (97%). Success rates decrease as the pregnancy advances.
First trimester is through 12 weeks. A pregnancy less than 6 weeks may increase the chance of failed abortion.
How long does it take?
-Usually 2 visits to the provider.
-Take mifepristone on day 1.
-Take misoprostol pillbuccally (allowing the pill to dissolve inside the mouth between the cheek and gum, or under the tongue)on day 2, 3, or 4.
-It usually takes several hours for the abortion to occur.
-Follow-up scheduled two weeks from first appointment.
-One 3-4 hour visit to the clinic.
-The abortion procedure takes 3 to 5 minutes.
-Follow-up visit at your doctor or clinic, or the providers in 3-4 weeks.
How painful is it?
From mild to very strong cramping off and on throughout the abortion (commonly a 1 to 3 hour period). Pain pills are provided for use as needed.
From mild to very strong cramping during the abortion (commonly a 5 to 10 minute period). Pain medication is available during and afterwards.
How much will I bleed?
Heavy bleeding and passing clots is common during the abortion. Afterwards, lighter bleeding is common from 9 to 14 days or longer.
Usually light to moderate bleeding and may continue for up to 6-8 weeks.
Can the abortion fail?
97% successful. When it fails, a surgical abortion is necessary.
Over 99% successful. Less than 1% of the time it fails and needs to be repeated.
Is it safe, and can I still have children afterwards?
-Both medications have been formally studied and used safely. Possible complications are rare.
-Childbearing ability is not affected, barring rare serious complications.
-Surgical abortion has been formally studied for over 25 years. First trimester abortion has a less than 1% complication rate, and is at least 10 times safer than childbirth.
-Childbearing ability is not affected, barring rare serious complications.
What are the advantages?
-It may seem more natural, like a miscarriage.
-No shots, anesthesia, instruments, or vacuum aspirator machine, unless it fails.
-The pregnancy can be ended earlier than with Surgical Abortion.
-Being at home instead of a clinic may seem more comforting and private.
-Any support person can be there during the abortion process.
-It's quick, over in a few minutes.
-It's highly successful.
-There's less bleeding than with MedicalAbortion.
-There's less time spent cramping than withMedical Abortion.
-Medical staff is present.
-It can be done farther along in the pregnancy thanMedical Abortion.
What are the disadvantages
-It takes several days.
-It is not completely predictable.
-Bleeding can be very heavy and lasts longer than with a surgical.
-Cramping can be severe and usually lasts longer than with a surgical.
-Two visits to the provider are necessary, and possibly more.
-It fails more often than a surgical.
-A clinician must insert instruments inside the uterus.
-Anesthetics and drugs to manage pain during the procedure may cause side effects.
-There are possible complications, although in less than 1% of cases.
-The woman has less control over the abortion process and who is with her.
-The vacuum aspirator may seem noisy.
-It can't be done as early in the pregnancy asMedical Abortion.
Medical Abortion withMifepristone or Mifeprex
Surgical Vacuum Aspiration Abortion
How far along in the pregnancy can I be?
Up to 8 weeks (49 days) for best success (97%). Success rates decrease as the pregnancy advances.
First trimester is through 12 weeks. A pregnancy less than 6 weeks may increase the chance of failed abortion.
How long does it take?
-Usually 2 visits to the provider.
-Take mifepristone on day 1.
-Take misoprostol pillbuccally (allowing the pill to dissolve inside the mouth between the cheek and gum, or under the tongue)on day 2, 3, or 4.
-It usually takes several hours for the abortion to occur.
-Follow-up scheduled two weeks from first appointment.
-One 3-4 hour visit to the clinic.
-The abortion procedure takes 3 to 5 minutes.
-Follow-up visit at your doctor or clinic, or the providers in 3-4 weeks.
How painful is it?
From mild to very strong cramping off and on throughout the abortion (commonly a 1 to 3 hour period). Pain pills are provided for use as needed.
From mild to very strong cramping during the abortion (commonly a 5 to 10 minute period). Pain medication is available during and afterwards.
How much will I bleed?
Heavy bleeding and passing clots is common during the abortion. Afterwards, lighter bleeding is common from 9 to 14 days or longer.
Usually light to moderate bleeding and may continue for up to 6-8 weeks.
Can the abortion fail?
97% successful. When it fails, a surgical abortion is necessary.
Over 99% successful. Less than 1% of the time it fails and needs to be repeated.
Is it safe, and can I still have children afterwards?
-Both medications have been formally studied and used safely. Possible complications are rare.
-Childbearing ability is not affected, barring rare serious complications.
-Surgical abortion has been formally studied for over 25 years. First trimester abortion has a less than 1% complication rate, and is at least 10 times safer than childbirth.
-Childbearing ability is not affected, barring rare serious complications.
What are the advantages?
-It may seem more natural, like a miscarriage.
-No shots, anesthesia, instruments, or vacuum aspirator machine, unless it fails.
-The pregnancy can be ended earlier than with Surgical Abortion.
-Being at home instead of a clinic may seem more comforting and private.
-Any support person can be there during the abortion process.
-It's quick, over in a few minutes.
-It's highly successful.
-There's less bleeding than with MedicalAbortion.
-There's less time spent cramping than withMedical Abortion.
-Medical staff is present.
-It can be done farther along in the pregnancy thanMedical Abortion.
What are the disadvantages
-It takes several days.
-It is not completely predictable.
-Bleeding can be very heavy and lasts longer than with a surgical.
-Cramping can be severe and usually lasts longer than with a surgical.
-Two visits to the provider are necessary, and possibly more.
-It fails more often than a surgical.
-A clinician must insert instruments inside the uterus.
-Anesthetics and drugs to manage pain during the procedure may cause side effects.
-There are possible complications, although in less than 1% of cases.
-The woman has less control over the abortion process and who is with her.
-The vacuum aspirator may seem noisy.
-It can't be done as early in the pregnancy asMedical Abortion.
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