What Occurs During Your Follow-Up Doctor Appointment?
During this visit, your doctor verifies the cessation of your pregnancy. You may consult with the physician who administered your medical abortion or another practitioner closer to your location.
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What is the Effectiveness of Medical Abortion?
Medical abortion is successful for up to 98% of individuals within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Its efficacy decreases slightly for those between 10 and 11 weeks, prompting doctors to often recommend a second dose of misoprostol to restore effectiveness to 98%.
In approximately a few cases out of 100 pregnancies, the medication may not induce abortion. If this occurs, your doctor might offer additional medication or suggest a surgical abortion to complete the process.
Signs indicating a failed medical abortion include:
– Absence of vaginal bleeding following medication intake.
– Persistent pregnancy symptoms such as tender breasts and nausea beyond a week post-procedure.
– Continued bleeding exceeding 2 weeks after the procedure.
– Absence of menstruation within 6 weeks following medical abortion.
If you observe any of these signs, consult your doctor promptly.
What is the Shelf Life of Abortion Medication?
Abortion medication obtained from a reputable source features an expiration date printed on the dispensing label from the pharmacy. It is advised not to use the medication beyond this date, according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Store your medication within the temperature range of 59°F to 77°F, ensuring room humidity remains below 60%, as recommended by Kliethermes of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Misoprostol is particularly sensitive to air and moisture, thus it should be stored in its sealed blister pack. Removing a pill from the pack will cause it to deteriorate and crumble within 48 hours.
What are the Costs Associated with Abortion Medication?
A study found that the average cost of a medical abortion was $535 in 2014, with patient charges increasing between 2017 and 2020.
For individuals with health insurance, it’s advisable to contact the insurer to determine coverage for part or all of the expenses. Those needing financial assistance may qualify for support through specific abortion funds.
The overall cost of a medical abortion may encompass expenses such as:
– The medication itself.
– Doctor appointments, including counseling sessions preceding the procedure in states where mandated.
– Lab tests.
– Ultrasound imaging tests in states where mandated.
