Abortion Information

Up to 10 weeks after last period

*On March 30, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration released new labeling information on the Mifeprex (mifepristone/misoprostol) medical abortion protocol. Mifeprex is now approved, in a regimen with misoprostol, to end a pregnancy through 70 days gestation (70 days or less since the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period).  The approved Mifeprex dosing regimen is:16

• On Day One: 200 mg of Mifeprex taken by mouth.  This pill blocks the hormones needed to sustain the embryo.
• 24 to 48 hours after taking Mifeprex: 800 mcg of misoprostol taken buccally (in the cheek pouch), at a location appropriate for the patient
• About seven to fourteen days after taking Mifeprex: follow-up with the healthcare provider

Because of the risk of serious complications, including death, Mifeprex is only available through a restricted program that requires abortion providers to warn patients to SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION:

• Sustained fever, severe abdominal pain, prolonged heavy bleeding, or fainting
• Symptoms that last more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol: abdominal pain/discomfort, feeling sick, weakness, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, with or without fever.

6 -14 weeks after last period

This surgery starts like a pelvic exam, with a speculum inserted into the vagina. Then, the cervix – the opening to the uterus or womb – is opened with instruments. Next, everything inside the uterus is suctioned out with either a syringe or a suction machine. If needed, a curette (a scoop-shaped instrument) is inserted into the uterus and scraped along the walls to ensure all fetal tissue is removed.

14-24 weeks after last period

Due to the size of the pregnancy, this surgical procedure is usually a two-day process. Day 1 involves insertion of sponge-like laminaria that force the cervix open by absorbing moisture and expanding. On day 2, the laminaria are removed. If the fetus is too large to pass through an inserted suction tube, forceps may be used to remove the fetus by smaller pieces before suctioning occurs. The curette (a scoop-shaped instrument) may be used to scrape the walls to ensure no fetal parts or tissue are left behind.

24 weeks or more after last period

These procedures may take 2 or 3 days, depending on how long it takes to open the cervix to the desired width. A medication or saline solution is injected into the amniotic sac to stop the heart of the fetus. Medications may then be given to contract the uterus and expel the fetus. If the fetus is not expelled by the contractions, the procedure described in the Second Trimester Abortion is used.