Useful information on medical abortion

In the case of an unwanted pregnancy or in the case of a pregnancy that you are unable to keep for certain reasons, you will need to consult with a gynecologist, who will give you answers to any questions that may be bothering you.

In the Republic of Moldova, abortion is permitted by law. Every woman who interrupts a pregnancy must be properly informed and is free to choose the method of abortion and anesthesia, based on the information given during the consultation.

What is a safe abortion?

Abortion is a safe medical procedure when it is carried out by a qualified medical provider, with the appropriate equipment, using a correct method and according to sanitary standards.

In the case of an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, manual or electrical vacuum aspiration and medical abortion are recommended.

Up to 9 weeks of pregnancy, medical abortion is the method of choice. From the list of surgical methods, cervix dilatation and evacuation of the products of conception via vacuum aspiration may also be recommended.

What is medical abortion?

It is a non-surgical method for interrupting an unwanted pregnancy, recommended by the World Health Organization as being safe and effective. Medical abortion is a procedure in which you use pills to interrupt a confirmed pregnancy, and it be carried out in both a medical unit, as well as at home.

The effectiveness of this method is on average 95-98% and depends on the term of the pregnancy and on correct administration of the medical abortion pills.

How does medical abortion work?

This method consists of two stages. In the first stage, the pill for unwanted pregnancy is administered, which act to prevent the development of a fetal egg. In the second stage, another medication is given, which causes the uterus to contract and independently expel the products of conception.

The regimen for administering medical abortion pills

The first pill is administered on the first day, during the medical consultation with the physician. The second medication is administered 1-3 days later (in the medical clinic or at home, depending on woman’s preference). After 2 weeks, the patient can visit the medical clinic in order to assess and confirm that the abortion is complete.

The symptoms that can be expected after the administration of pills for medical abortion

• Cramps in the lower abdomen, which can be reduced by administering anti-inflammatory pills such as ibuprofen.
• Elimination of the gestation sac is associated with menstrual bleeding, which can sometimes be more intense.
• Moderate bleeding or spotting over the course of 1-3 weeks or even until the next menstruation.

Possible side effects

In some cases, the following side effects may occur: nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, weakness, fever, chills, all of which being of short duration.

What complications can arise?

Complications are quite rare and can include pregnancy continuation, incomplete abortion, and severe hemorrhage.

What happens in case of continuing pregnancy or incomplete abortion?

In the case of pregnancy continuation, the woman is given an extra dose of pills, or the abortion is completed through manual vacuum aspiration, depending on the woman’s preference. Incomplete abortion will also require vacuum aspiration.

Advantages of medical abortion:

• Avoids surgery and anesthesia;
• Much lower risks of infectious complications compared with surgical abortion;
• It is a more “natural” method of pregnancy interruption;
• It is more confidential and comfortable.

Who is not eligible for medical abortion?

Women with:

• ectopic pregnancy or any suspicion for it;
• intrauterine devices (must be extracted in advance);
• adrenal insufficiency;
• bleeding disorder or being on anticoagulant therapy;
• women receiving steroid therapy;
• allergic reactions to the abortion medications.

Following a medical abortion, when can a woman become pregnant again and when will she have a normal menstrual cycle?

Medical abortion has no negative influence on the ability of the woman to become pregnant again or on her health in general. A woman can become pregnant 10-11 days following the procedure. That is why it is a good thing to make a decision about contraception during the initial consultation with the physician. Menstruation after medical abortion will return to normal, or about 2 weeks later.

Can repeated administration of abortion medications have a negative influence on the body?

According to medical studies, repeated use of medical abortion has no negative influence on the physical or mental health of the woman.

Where can you receive a medical abortion?

Find a nearby facility that provides safe abortion using the interactive map of public medical institutions that offer quality abortion services.