Elective Termination of Pregnancy (Abortion)
Elective termination of pregnancy (abortion) is legal in mainland China though there are exceptions, e.g. where a woman uses sexual determination of the unborn foetus in determining continued pregnancy or termination.
Medical versus Surgical Abortion
Why might a woman choose to have a suction curettage abortion?
What is medication abortion?
Medication abortion, also known as medical abortion, the abortion pill, non-aspiration, or non-surgical abortion, refers to a range of safe and effective methods for terminating an unwanted pregnancy. Through the use of a drug or combination of drugs that are administered orally, vaginally, and/or intramuscularly, medication abortion first causes the pregnancy to terminate and then causes the uterus to expel the products of conception. Worldwide, three methods of medication abortion are currently in practice for early pregnancy termination (< 49 days but can be up to < 63 days):
Clinic telephone +86 (0574) 86000000 (Mon-Fri closed)
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All content on this website in its entirety is subject to copyright. No part is to be copied without express written permission of Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital 宁波开发区中心医院
Medical versus Surgical Abortion
Why might a woman choose to have a suction curettage abortion?
- It requires fewer office visits
- The procedure takes a short amount of time
- It is more effective than medical abortion (less risk of an incomplete procedure)
- Women usually do not have heavy bleeding at home
- It can be used in the earliest weeks of pregnancy
- It requires no surgery
- It requires no anaesthesia
- It has the potential for greater privacy
- Some women feel it gives them greater control over their bodies
- It may feel more "natural" for some women
What is medication abortion?
Medication abortion, also known as medical abortion, the abortion pill, non-aspiration, or non-surgical abortion, refers to a range of safe and effective methods for terminating an unwanted pregnancy. Through the use of a drug or combination of drugs that are administered orally, vaginally, and/or intramuscularly, medication abortion first causes the pregnancy to terminate and then causes the uterus to expel the products of conception. Worldwide, three methods of medication abortion are currently in practice for early pregnancy termination (< 49 days but can be up to < 63 days):
- Mifespristone and misoprostol (this is the option used at NingboFMC).
- Methotrexate and misoprostol
- Misoprostol alone
- Step I: A clinician counsels the woman, takes a medical history, performs a physical exam, and performs laboratory tests. Accurate dating of the pregnancy is critical and can occur through either clinical assessment or ultrasound. If the woman is eligible for a medication abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol she takes mifepristone orally. Pain medication maybe prescribed at this time, in case the woman needs it later (The woman should expect vaginal bleeding & cramping).
- Step II: Two - three days after taking mifepristone, the woman takes misoprostol to complete the abortion. This will be done in the clinic. Occasionally, a woman may abort after the mifepristone alone.
- Step III: Several to fifteen days later, the woman returns to the clinic for an evaluation to make sure the abortion is complete. Completion is often clinically evident, but often an ultrasound is necessary for confirmation. The only ultrasound finding which reliably demonstrates in-completion is the presence of a persistent gestational sac. If the abortion is not complete, the clinician will discuss treatment options with the patient. These options may include waiting and re-evaluating for a complete abortion, administering additional misoprostol, or performing a vacuum aspiration (D+E) to empty the uterus.
Clinic telephone +86 (0574) 86000000 (Mon-Fri closed)
Website designed and maintained by Foreigners Medical Clinic, Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital
All content on this website in its entirety is subject to copyright. No part is to be copied without express written permission of Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital 宁波开发区中心医院