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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffMedical abortion is a procedure that uses various medications to end an established pregnancy. A medical abortion is done either in a doctor's office or at home. Medical abortion doesn't require anesthesia or surgery, but it can only be done early in pregnancy.
Pursuing a medical abortion is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences. If you're considering medical abortion, make sure you understand what the procedure entails, the side effects, and possible risks and complications.
- Fjerstad M, et al. Rates of serious infection after changes in regimens for medical abortion. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;361:145.
- Pregnancy choices: Raising the baby, adoption, and abortion. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp168.cfm. Accessed Aug. 12, 2009.
- Induced abortion. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp043.cfm. Accessed Aug. 12, 2009.
- Clark W, et al. Misoprostol as a single agent for medical termination of pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2009.
- Spitz IM. Mifepristone for the medical termination of pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2009.
- Kulier R, et al. Medical methods for first trimester abortion. (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2004:CD002855.
- Shulman LP, et al. Overview of pregnancy termination. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2009.
- Cytotec misoprostol tablets. Pfizer. http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_cytotec.pdf. Accessed Aug. 17, 2009.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 27, 2009.
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