Information on the Pill in Aurora, CO

PILL INSTRUCTIONS

There are two medications used to terminate a pregnancy. Mifeprex (RU-486) is taken one time in the office. This medication stops the pregnancy from implanting in the uterine wall. It takes 24-48 hours to be effective. You will be given a second medication, misoprostol, to take home. After 24-48 hours you will take the second medication. Usually, there are no symptoms until the second medication is taken at home

SIDE EFFECTS

Typically, there will be no symptoms after taking the medication in the office. However, less than 1% of patients will cramp, bleed, or even pass the pregnancy after the first pill. It is important that the 4 tablets of misoprostol are taken in 24-48 hours after the first dose, even if there is bleeding prior to this scheduled dosing. The misoprostol taken at home can have side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking chills and a fever. These symptoms only occur in 10% of patients and should not persist over 24 hours.

BLEEDING

Rarely, patients will have cramping and bleeding after taking the Mifeprex, the medicine taken in the office. Typically, the bleeding will start 1-4 hours after taking the 4 misoprostol pills taken at home. The bleeding is commonly described as heavy, initially, by patients. This bleeding should not exceed 3 saturated pads an hour for over 3 hours. After 3 hours, the bleeding should become lighter. The irregular light bleeding may persist for 6 weeks. Frequently, a completely normal menstrual period takes 3 months. If you have received a prescription for oral contraceptives, it is recommended that you begin these in 2 weeks. This will assist in regulating your cycle as well as prevent pregnancy. If the bleeding exceeds 3 pads/hour for over 3 hours, contact the office immediately.

PAIN

The cramping pain is like a menstrual period. This is your uterus contracting to expel the pregnancy tissue. It will be most intense when you are at home, approximately 1-4 hours after the 4 misoprostol tablets are taken at home. After the tissue has passed, the cramping should improve. Ibuprofen 800 mg every 8 hours is recommended. Over the counter Motrin/Ibuprofen comes in 200 mg tablets. You should take 4 (total 800 mg) every 8 hours beginning an hour prior to taking the medication at home. Take the first dose one-hour prior to taking the misoprostol.

NAUSEA

Some patients suffer from severe nausea due to pregnancy and others may develop nausea from the 4 misoprostol tablets taken at home. A prescription for Zofran will be provided at your visit. It is recommended that one tablet be placed sublingual (under the tongue) to dissolve one hour prior to taking the medication at home and every 12 hours as needed following this dose. If the nausea is severe, the 4 misoprostol tablets can be placed vaginally. These should be placed after emptying the bladder and be placed as high in the vagina as possible. Also, you should lie down for about 30 minutes after this has been placed.

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS

If you suffer from any of the symptoms relating to pregnancy (such as breast tenderness, nausea, heightened sense of smell etc.), it can take up to 2 weeks for these to resolve. After 2 weeks, if the pregnancy symptoms do not resolve or there is NO bleeding, please call and come into the office for an evaluation. It is always recommended that you bring a driver with you in the event a procedure (D and C) is recommended. This is not mandatory, but IV sedation will not be administered without a driver. The procedure is well tolerated using local anesthesia, which numbs the cervix (mouth to the uterus) as well as the lower 2/3 of the uterus.

PREGNANCY TEST

It is imperative that a pregnancy test be performed on FIRST MORNING urine after 4 weeks. If this is positive, you will need to call the office to schedule an appointment for an evaluation. Again, it is recommended that you bring a driver in the event a procedure Is recommended. This is not mandatory.

TO PREVENT INFECTION

Pelvic rest for 2 weeks. No tampons, sexual intercourse, baths (shower only), swimming, douching

SYMPTOMS

Call the office if you experience the following symptoms:

  1. Temperature greater than 100.4 F or higher
  2. Severe cramping or pain that returns after passing the pregnancy
  3. Foul smelling discharge
  4. Rash or Hives
  5. Soaking more than 3 pads an hour for over 3 hours
  6. Dizziness or shortness of breath
  7. Chest pain
  8. Pregnancy symptoms that persist after 2 weeks
  9. Positive pregnancy test (First morning urine) after 4 weeks
  10. Pain that returns after passing the pregnancy

EMERGENCY CARE

In cases of a true emergency, you should go to the nearest hospital. If possible, contact our office and let us know which hospital you are going to. When you arrive at the hospital, please provide the treating physician our contact information so we can provide them with any pertinent medical information regarding your care in this office. If you have time, you may want to avoid religious hospitals. If you live in a state in which abortion is not legal, the physician should care for you appropriately and without hesitation. It is up to you whether you want to notify them that you had an abortion procedure.

Have any questions? Reach out to our supportive team today!

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