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By Mayo Clinic staffIf you're considering medical abortion, you'll meet with your health care provider to discuss the procedure. Your health care provider will likely:
- Evaluate your medical history and overall health
- Confirm the pregnancy with a physical exam
- Do an ultrasound exam to date the pregnancy and confirm it's not an ectopic or molar pregnancy
- Do blood and urine tests
- Explain how the procedure works
Proceeding with a medical abortion is a big decision. Talking with your partner, family or friends may help. Your health care provider or a counselor can answer any questions you might have, help you weigh alternatives and consider the impact the procedure may have on your future.
Keep in mind that no health care provider is required to perform an abortion and that in some states there are certain legal requirements and waiting periods before proceeding with an abortion.
- 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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