Non Surgical “Abortion
Shot” up to 8 weeks
A medical abortion is one that is brought
about by using medications that will end a
pregnancy. It is a relatively new method of
termination of pregnancy used for early
pregnancies (at or below 8 weeks of pregnancy
from the first day of the last menstrual period,
confirmed by ultrasound dating). Our Physicians
and healthcare team have had many years of
valuable experience providing non-surgical
abortions. With this method, medications are
used to cause the pregnancy to stop growing and
be expelled in a manner similar to a
miscarriage. While this method may be desirable
for some patients, it is not the ideal choice
for every patient. We provide all patients with
individual, personal care to meet her specific
needs. We also educate our patients about the
array of abortion procedures so each woman can
make an informed decision of which procedure to
choose.
Methotrexate is the medication used to start
a non-surgical abortion. Methotrexate has been
used in the United States since 1953, when it
was approved by the Federal Drug Administration
(FDA) to treat certain some types of cancer.
Since that time, medical researchers have
discovered other important uses for the drug.
One of these uses is to end unintended
pregnancies. Although the FDA did not consider
this specific purpose, Physicians have
prescribed Methotrexate to end early pregnancies
for many years. It has also been used for many
years by Physicians to treat ectopic (tubal)
pregnancies to avoid surgical intervention.
Methotrexate is referred to as the “abortion
shot” because it is given in the form of an
injection. The amount of the medication
administered is based on the patient’s height
and weight and is given in the patient’s hip or
buttocks. We have had much experience and
success in using Methotrexate for non-surgical
abortions.
The second medication used in the non-surgical
abortion is called Misoprostol. Misoprostol is a
drug used to treat peptic ulcers. When used as
the second drug during a non-surgical abortion,
it promotes expulsion of the pregnancy. The
patient leaves our facility with the Misoprostol
tablets and places the tablets deep into her
vagina at bedtime six days after her
Methotrexate injection. Misoprostol causes the
uterus to contract and empty. The patient
usually starts bleeding and cramping (like a
period) within 30 minutes to 2 hours after
inserting the tablets.
Patients who undergo a non-surgical abortion are
given the first medication in our facility (the
“shot”). She then uses the tablets at home as
instructed (usually “day 6” … “day 1” being the
day of the “shot”). If the patient does not
bleed within one week of using the second
medication, she should call our healthcare team
and notify them. About 95%-98% of women will
have a successful medical abortion.
Complications are rare. However, a small
percentage of women (approximately 0.5%-2%) will
need a suction D&C (similar to a surgical
abortion) because of retained tissue or heavy,
prolonged bleeding. The suction D&C can be done
safely in our facility. It is important for the
patient to know that deciding to continue the
pregnancy after a medical abortion is NOT AN
OPTION because Methotrexate causes severe birth
defects in the pregnancy. There do not appear to
be any long-term complications or effects
associated with either of the medications used
for the non-surgical abortion, “The shot.”
Follow-Up Care
Medical abortion requires two follow-up visits
to our facility. The first return visit is one
month following the injection. Our healthcare
team will perform a sonogram to make sure your
uterus is empty and run a pregnancy test to make
sure it is negative. We will start you on a
birth control method at this visit and provide
the method at no charge.
We will ask you to return for a final
visit one month after the first return visit.
This is called Med Visit 3. We will perform a
sonogram and/or a pelvic exam and a pregnancy
test if indicated. At this visit, we encourage
you to get a Pap smear so we can continue you on
your birth control method.
We will keep you supplied with your birth
control method for a year.
Care Before “The Shot”
In addition to a physical exam, convenient,
accurate, state-of-the-art laboratory testing
will be done to check for any underlying kidney
or liver problems. We will also obtain a
complete blood count and your blood type. Your
lab values must be within normal limits to
safely receive the medications for the
non-surgical (medical) abortion.
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