What Are The Precautions To Be Followed Post Abortion?

Posted on Mon, 22 Dec 2014

Question: Hello Dr ,

I used Emergency Contraceptive pill but I am Pregnant, I visit doctor immediately and He have given course of 2 tablets for abortion, 1 he had given on 25th and now today again he will give me 1. what are the precautions I have to take.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.

Please let me know a few more things.
When was your last period ?
When did you find out that you are pregnant?
Was an ultrasound scan done?
How many weeks pregnant are you?
What exact tablets have been prescribed?
Please let me know the names.

I will then write back to you with my further opinion.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 hours later)

Hello,

My last period was on 16th Oct. and have taken Emergency Pill on 31st Oct, I got to know about pregnancy on 24th Nov, as I waited a week to see if period got delay because of Ipill.

I don't know what tablets Doc. have given me, He gave me 1 tablet at clinic only.

Regards

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Listed the precautions below.

Detailed Answer:
Well, there is not much information from your doctors' end.

Let me list the precautions and standard protocol generally to be followed for completing an abortion -
1. First pregnancy has to be confirmed via ultrasound scan, because the pills work only in earlier weeks of pregnancy.
2. Next the abortion pill kit comes with. 1 tablet of Mifepristone - given orally, followed by 2 tablets after 24 - 48 hours of Misoprostol and then further 2 more tablets later on ( Totally 1 plus 2 plus 2 = 5 tablets ) orally or vaginally.
3. Following intake of these pills, bleeding with cramps, passage of clots or fleshy mass occurs within 24 - 48 hours.
4. Mild spotting may continue for a few weeks.
5. Follow up ultrasound scan after 15 days is a must to confirm that the abortion is successfully completed.
6. If you vomit the tablets within 4 hours of intake, you should repeat the dosage.
7. At any time if you experience uncontrollable bleeding, fainting or sharp cramps beyond what is acceptable, you should contact your doctor.
8. Ultrasound is a must as ectopic pregnancy ( pregnancy outside the uterus ) maybe missed otherwise.
9. Also, there can be 1 - 4 % chance of failure of pills inspite of correct usage, and then surgical abortion is required.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari