What is Medical Pregnancy Abortion

A medical termination may only be performed early in pregnancy. This involves taking 2 different types of medication, the first an "anti-progesterone" to stop the pregnancy growing and the other a 'prostaglandin-like medication' (taken 24-48 hours later) to expel the pregnancy tissue from the uterus. Basically it mimics a miscarriage. Bleeding and pain are variable. Blood tests at a local pathology provider and a follow-up appointment with us is necessary 2 weeks later to confirm a successful pregnancy termination.

While this method of terminating a pregnancy has been widely used in many counties including the USA, UK, NZ, India and China, it is currently only available in Australia from a doctor who is experienced in termination of pregnancy and has authority to prescribe the medication. Doctors who work for Gynaecology Centres Australia have obtained this authorisation.

In comparison to surgical termination of pregnancy, medical termination has more drug-related side effects (such as nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache and fever). Pain and bleeding are also more common and more prolonged, with up to 90 percent of women experiencing cramps and an average of 14 to 17 days bleeding, with ranges from 1 day to 69 days. The timing of the expulsion of the products of conception is not clear and there is at least a theoretical risk of foetal deformity if the termination fails and the pregnancy continues.

If you are considering having a medical termination of pregnancy, prior to you being administered any medication you will have a consultation with the doctor. The doctor will take a medical history and conduct an ultrasound to determine the site of the pregnancy and to make sure it corresponds with dates. It is particularly important that you are less than 9 weeks pregnant. You will also be asked to provide a urine sample before seeing the doctor for the purpose of routine chlamydia screening (the most common and often undetected sexually transmitted infection). A blood test will also be taken during your consultation. The consultation will also include discussion surrounding the pregnancy and reasons for the termination.

Ten to twelve days after your consultation you will be required to attend a local pathology collection centre near you for a further blood test. You will then be required to attend a follow up appointment with us two weeks after your initial appointment for a repeat ultrasound and review of your blood tests to confirm a successful termination.