|
Abortion Options / What's the difference between the morning-after pill, non-surgical abortion, and the abortion pill?
Emergency Contraception, often called the Morning After Pill, is a heavy dose
of the same hormones found in oral contraception. It can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected
intercourse (preferably within 72 hours) to prevent pregnancy. This has been proven to be effective up to 95%
of the time. Emergency contraception works by preventing ovulation and implantation, but will not end a pregnancy
that has already begun.
Non-surgical abortion is a chemically-induced miscarriage. Patients receive medication (Methotrexate and Misoprostol
or Mifepristone and Misoprostol) that causes the passing of pregnancy tissue already developing in the uterus.
Non-surgical abortions can be performed from 4 to 9 weeks after the last normal period and will only be performed
on a woman who has had a positive pregnancy test.
"The abortion pill" is a common name for Mifeprex® (mifepristone), a drug used in some non-surgical abortions.
Some people also call this drug RU-486 (its French brand name), because the European version of this drug
was available for many years before it was approved by the FDA for use in the United States.
Medical abortions are to terminate pregnancy; emergency contraception is a measure to prevent pregnancy
before it begins.
|
