QuestionQUESTION: My gf and I have decided to opt for a medical abortion procedure. We do have some doubts about the use of mifepristone so far along the pregnancy (she is on her 10th week). We have read that on these weeks the fetus has started producing it's own progesterone, and therefore, the mifepristone would be useless. Is it true? Does mifepristone not affect pregnancy after the 9th week at all?
If it is so, it would probably be better if we opted for a misoprostol alone regimen? Mifepristone is more expensive than just the misoprostol, and we don't want to buy it needlessly.
Thanks for your answer in advance.
ANSWER: This is the best evidence:
The best and safest way a woman can do an abortion herself until the 12th week of pregnancy is with the use of two medicines called Mifepristone (also known as the abortion pill, RU 486, Mifegyn, Mifeprex), and Misoprostol (also known as Cytotec, Arthrotec, Oxaprost, Cyprostol, Mibetec, Prostokos or Misotrol). If you live in a country where there is no access to safe abortion services and you would like to obtain a medical abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol, please go to Women on Web (www.womenonweb.org).
http://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/702/how-to-do-an-abortion-with-pills
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QUESTION: Thanks for the quick reply.
We had read a little, and we see that most literature says. We just have some doubts, as we have read (even here, in Allexperts, in some other questions) that Mifepristone has no effect on the life of the embryo after it takes over it's own Progesterone production. What benefit could the mifepristone give? Would it still end the pregnancy, or just help the dilatation of the cervix?
I thank you in advance.
AnswerYes, it is used even in Fetal demises because it increases the efficacy of the medication abortion. You can also use Misoprostol alone but the success rate is lower. Lower the progesterone prevents continuing pregnancy. The reference I gave you talks about both. The choice is yours. You just have to make sure you complete the process
HOW TO USE MISOPROSTOL http://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/702/how-to-do-an-abortion-with-pills
In countries where abortion is illegal, Misoprostol alone can be used to cause an abortion. Incorrect use of Misoprostol can be harmful for the health of a woman!!
To cause an abortion, a woman must put 4 pills of of 200 micrograms (in total 800 mcg) Misoprostol under the tongue. Do not swallow the pills (at least until 30 minutes after putting the tablets under the tongue!!)
After 3 hours she should put another 4 pills of Misoprostol under the tongue.
After 3 hours she should put another 4 pills of Misoprostol under the tongue again for a third time. Do not swallow.
The success rate of Misoprostol alone is 90%