If you discover you are pregnant and can’t proceed, the medical pregnancy termination pill is a non-surgical option you might want to consider. In East Los Angeles, California, experienced OB/GYN Yao Hsu, MD, provides expert advice, ongoing support, and counseling to women faced with this decision. Call Yao Hsu MD, Inc. now to learn more about the medical pregnancy termination pill, or request an appointment online today.
request an appointmentWhat is a medical pregnancy termination pill?
The medical pregnancy termination pill provides a non-surgical, non-invasive option for ending an early-stage pregnancy.
The FDA-approved drugs in a medical pregnancy termination pill are mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks the female sex hormone progesterone, preventing embryo growth. Misoprostol triggers cramping and bleeding that empties the uterus.
You can use medication to terminate a pregnancy up to eight weeks after your last period.
When would I need a medical pregnancy termination pill?
Pregnancy termination is a personal choice women may make for many reasons, such as:
- The risk of inherited disease
- Fear of fetal abnormalities
- To complete an early miscarriage
- Health complications where pregnancy is life-threatening
- Ending a pregnancy conceived during an assault
You could have challenging personal circumstances that make pregnancy hazardous, such as an addiction, severe financial difficulties, a lack of accommodation, or a mental health disorder.
Whatever your reason for considering the medical pregnancy termination pill, Dr. Hsu provides information to help you make the right choice for your health and future, without judgment or pressure to make a certain decision.
Can anyone use the medical pregnancy termination pill?
The medical pregnancy termination pill is an effective way for many women to manage their situation safely. However, it’s not suitable for everyone. You shouldn’t use the medical pregnancy termination pill if:
- You’re more than nine weeks pregnant
- You have an ectopic pregnancy (outside the uterus)
- You suffer from a blood clotting disorder
- You’re significantly anemic
- You have chronic adrenal failure
- You take long-term steroid medication
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD)
- You’re allergic to the pill’s ingredients
- You can’t access emergency care
- You’re unable to attend a follow-up visit
Dr. Hsu will advise whether the medical pregnancy termination pill suits you. If it doesn’t, he can discuss the other options available.
How do I get the medical pregnancy termination pill?
If you think you’re pregnant and wish to end the pregnancy, Dr. Hsu first and his medical team complete a free test to confirm your condition. You also benefit from comprehensive sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing to ensure your well-being and safety.
Dr. Hsu and his women’s health advocates offer counseling, ultrasound scans, and the knowledge you need to make an empowered, confident decision about whether to terminate a pregnancy. When you’re sure you wish to go ahead with the procedure, Dr. Hsu prescribes your medical pregnancy termination pill.
The process typically involves the following steps:
1. Ultrasound scan:
According to the FDA, abortion pills should only be taken in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Ultrasound is the only way to confirm gestational age of the pregnancy. There can be complications from abortion pills, such as incomplete abortion, especially if the drugs are taken when a woman is farther along than 10 weeks.
2. First Pill
The woman takes the first pill under medical supervision. This medication works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for maintaining pregnancy.
3. Second Pill
After a certain period, usually 24 to 48 hours later, the woman takes the second pill. This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
4. Follow-up care:
It is important for the woman to have a follow-up appointment with a healthcare provider for additional ultrasound scan to ensure the abortion is complete and to address any potential complications.
In California, abortion is legal and protected by state law. The California Constitution recognizes the right to privacy, which includes the right to choose to have an abortion. The state has laws in place to ensure access to abortion services, including the requirement that private health insurance plans cover abortion services.
Call Yao Hsu MD, Inc. to learn more about the medical pregnancy termination pill, or book an appointment online today.