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			termination : first trimester medical abortion Medical Abortion with Methotrexate

	more methotrexate Mifeprsitone surgery		Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy after implantation. Surgical abortions are done by placing an instrument into the uterine cavity and applying suction. This procedure is called vacuum aspiration. When methotrexate is used to induce a non-surgical abortion (also called a medical abortion) you will receive an injection of methotrexate and then return in 5-7 days for vaginal insertion of either tablets or a suppository of another drug called misoprostol. Within 12 hours you will experience cramping. The pregnancy is usually aborted within 24-36 hours. You will be asked to remain in the office for a brief period of time before going home. Complete information about the use of methotrexate to terminate a pregnancy is available through your clinician. Advantages: This procedure is safe, effective and can be done without an instrument being placed into the uterus. Although not formally approved as a drug to induce an abortion, methotrexate is widely available in the United States. It is legal and ethical for a clinician to use an approved drug for another purpose. Most women do not have negative feelings after an abortion but feel relieved. Disadvantages: You may experience cramping, pain, bleeding, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some people may feel guilty at having ended a pregnancy. Medical abortion using methotrexate can only be done during the first 60 days of pregnancy. It may be difficult to find a clinician to perform an abortion using methotrexate. This method takes longer for pregnancy termination to occur than with a surgical abortion. Medical abortion using methotrexate is about 95% successful. The remaining 5% require traditional surgical procedures to complete the abortion. Where do I go to get a medical abortion and how do I decide? If you are pregnant and did not plan to be, you have a very important decision to make. Talk to your clinician or family planning clinic staff about this decision and where to go to have a safe abortion. Your decision should be to do what you, yourself, feel is right. You may want to discuss this decision with your husband, partner, a counselor, friend or family member. The earlier in pregnancy an abortion is done, the safer and less expensive it is. What if I only recently had unprotected sex? For 72 hours AFTER unprotected sex, you can take emergency contraceptive pills to avoid becoming pregnant. For up to 7 days AFTER unprotected sex, you can have an IUD put in. Not all clinicians know about emergency contraception. If you want more information or would like the phone numbers of clinicians near you who prescribe emergency contraception, CALL the toll-free hotline 1-888-NOT-2-LATE or 1-800-584-9911. Some of these sources of help are free.

			Last Update: 09/10/2004