Northland’s Exclusive
Early Abortion Care

Early Non-Surgical Abortion Care
My Time, My Place - Is This For Me?

Non-Surgical abortion is also called Medication Abortion, the Abortion Pill or RU-486. This abortion care method is a safe way to end a pregnancy in the earliest stages without surgery.

Whether you are considering a surgical or non-surgical abortion, this is an emotional decision. You may want to take a look at Abortion Decision, Making the Choice here on our website. And, remember, here at Northland we are very experienced in working with women to come to a decision that connects both your head and your heart.

Here, we work from our hearts...and our hearts are open to yours.

The option to have your abortion at home through non-surgical abortion is an appealing option for many women because they feel it is private, more natural and less invasive than the surgical procedure. However, non-surgical abortion is a process that requires a greater level of participation from you, the patient. Factors such as family implications, time, place and emotions must be considered beforehand for a positive outcome.

You deserve and need support.
The non-surgical abortion is truly a private experience, yet it is not one to go through alone. Having a good support system is critical. Understanding what is ahead is an important part of the experience, too. The embryo will be expelled at home. Seeing this can cause a wide range of emotions. Some women choose to view the embryo, while others do not. It is truly a private moment and women experience a range of emotions. Some women have told us they chose to mark this time with a ritual or quiet moment. Interested in reading ways women have created to memorialize this experience? Click here: Honor Your Experience.This is your moment.

Deciding if Non-Surgical Abortion Care is right for you
Many women choose this option because it feels more natural to them. No shots or anesthesia are involved. Because Mifepristone (MifeprexAA) comes in pill form and is taken by mouth, you can usually avoid surgery. Also, because it works very early in your pregnancy, Mifepristone (MifeprexAA) allows you to take early action to end your pregnancy. On the other hand, the medication is more expensive than surgical abortion, takes several days and may require several office visits.

To help you make an informed choice about non-surgical abortion, please read through this section of the website. We would like you to read these pages before you make your appointment. If you think this is the procedure you would like to pursue, please call the Northland Center most convenient for you. Appointments

If you feel you need assistance in making a decision between a surgical or non-surgical abortion, some of the points and questions below may help you sort things out. More importantly, share your concerns with someone. We're here for you and are more than happy to have a conversation with you as you consider your options.

How does the Non-Surgical Method work?
First, this method is only effective if taken in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. This method is non-surgical and involves a series of medications, taken at pre-arranged times, that bring about an abortion in the privacy of your own home with those you choose around you to support you. The medications include Mifepristone (MifeprexAA) which is taken orally and stops the pregnancy from growing. Then, Misoprostol, (Cytotec) is taken buccaly (dissolved in your mouth, between your gum and cheek), to help expel the pregnancy.

Is it safe?
Available in Europe and other countries for more than a decade, the FDA approved use of Mifepristone (MifeprexAA) or RU 486 for the U.S. in 2000 after testing it for both safety and effectiveness. In the past decade, more than half a million women in Europe have safely used Mifepristone (MifeprexAA) to end their pregnancies. It is now used in more than eighteen countries. Here at Northland, our patients have experienced both a safe and effective abortion process.

Am I eligible for Non-Surgical Abortion Care?
For you to have a successful abortion experience, we use specific guidelines to help determine if non-surgical abortion is a good option for you. All of our patients go through a careful screening process.

You MUST:

• Be no more than 8 weeks or 56 days from your last normal period
• Be sure of your abortion decision
• Be at least 18 years old
• Speak, read and understand English
• Live within one hour of a hospital in case of emergency
• Have access to a phone and be able to receive phone calls from us
• Be able to swallow pills
• Have immediate and reliable access to a car and a driver in the event of an emergency, in the 2 weeks after you take Mifeprex
• Commit to return to us for a check-up in 14 days and possible multiple visits
• Agree to have a surgical abortion if the medication abortion fails
• You must commit to at least two clinic visits and be in good health.

Because this method has a slightly higher failure rate than surgical abortion and, if the pregnancy were to continue, the medication used can cause serious birth defects, you must be willing to consent to a surgical abortion if the non-surgical abortion fails.

And, crucial to your health:
It is only with a follow-up visit with a repeat ultrasound at our Center that we are able to determine if the procedure has worked.

What are the possible and reasonably likely side effects of Mifepristone (MifeprexAA)?
Bleeding and cramping are a normal part of the process. The bleeding can be heavier than a normal period and can last from 9-16 days. In some cases, women may have severe bleeding. If this occurs, you need to contact us immediately. Some women experience pain, nausea, headaches, vomiting or diarrhea.

Call us – we can help you out.

Who should NOT take Mifepristone (MifeprexAA)?
You should not use Mifeprex it if your last menstrual period was more than 8 weeks or 56 days ago.

Also, Mifeprex cannot safely be used if you:

• have an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy;
• have an IUD in place (it must first be removed);
• have problems with your adrenal glands;
• have been treated with certain steroid medications over a long period of time;
• have bleeding problems or are taking blood thinning medications;
• have had a negative reaction to Mifepristone (MifeprexAA), Misoprostol (Cytotec) or a similar drug;
• cannot return for any necessary visits, including your 2-week check-up
• cannot easily get to emergency medical help, should you need it, in the 2 weeks after you take Mifeprex.

Note: Women who are breastfeeding should discontinue before taking the medication.

Will Mifepristone (MifeprexAA) prevent me from getting pregnant in the future?
Infections are the greatest threat to fertility, not abortion. Regardless of method, abortion is over 10 times safer than childbirth. So, just like after surgical abortion, until your check-up, nothing is to be placed into your vagina. And, just so you know, you can become pregnant again immediately after this pregnancy ends. If you do not wish to become pregnant, you must abstain from sex or use an effective method of birth control. We can help you to select a method that will suit you.

Think about:
Non-surgical abortion is a more private process and you can choose to be with loved ones in the comfort of the place you choose. However, it requires a greater level of participation from you. Factors such as family implications, time, place and emotions must be considered beforehand for a positive outcome.

Responsibilities at home and work
Think about your schedule. Are you available to come in for both appointments and can you stay home for at least one full day immediately after you take your second medication Misoprostol (Cytotec)? Can you get the extra time off from work or school and will your employer understand if you need an extra day?

Who will be home with you during this time?
Where will your children or other family members be when you are going through this process? Do you want them to know? Will they support you? If you do have small children, we recommended that you arrange to have someone watch them during the time of your abortion. If you are caring for an elderly friend or parent, would it be all right if this person knew about your pregnancy? Could you still care for him or her? It is absolutely necessary for you to arrange to have someone available who can take care of your children or family members if you cannot because of pain or bleeding.

Who will be your support person?
You need someone just for you, someone who knows you are having an abortion and is supportive. And, someone must be available to drive you to our Center or the hospital in the event of an emergency.

Think about what you would like your support person to do for you during your abortion experience. Are you the kind of person that needs a lot of support and encouragement? Share this – no one reads minds well, even when they want to be supportive and caring. Most importantly, will your support person be able to remain calm throughout this procedure or in case of an emergency? Will they be able to handle the sight of blood, the expulsion of the embryo? How will they react if they see you in pain? Have you chosen someone who can handle this, is reliable, cares about you, will support you and not be judgmental towards you?

It may be helpful to read over and share ideas from our website sections, Especially for Parents, Men or Friends, with your chosen support person. Print out the page. Sometimes, it's easier to share a printed page.

Being home for the abortion
It will be up to you to follow the instructions for taking the second medication at home. Since you will most likely pass or expel the pregnancy at home, have you thought about what the embryo will look like? Will you want to examine it, to say goodbye? Or will you want to flush it away without looking? Think about how you want this experience to be and be sure to give yourself the comforts and support systems you need to create a positive abortion experience. Consider surrounding yourself with items that make you feel good: videos, books, a bouquet of flowers, music.

Perceptions and misperceptions
“It's a miscarriage.”

Because of the stigma that surrounds abortion, some women refer to their experience as a miscarriage rather than an abortion. That is a personal choice, but as our patient, we want you to be sure that you understand that you are ending a pregnancy, having an abortion. And, we want to make sure you have the emotional and moral support you need during this time.

“I can avoid doctors by having a non-surgical abortion.”

Some women do not like going to the doctor and think that the non-surgical abortion is a way to avoid seeing a doctor. It is important to know that with any type of abortion, or with continuing a pregnancy, you will still need an initial health and pelvic exam, bloodwork and a vaginal ultrasound. Having a deep fear of doctors can stem from a variety of factors, but there are ways to be more comfortable. Perhaps by thinking of this experience as an important step for your own future, you can handle your fears differently. If you have ever been raped, sexually abused or taken advantage of sexually and did not get help with your feelings about this experience, please let us know. We can offer special support here and community referrals for help and support.

“My last abortion was a terrible experience so this will be a better method for me.”

First, let's figure out what was okay and what was not okay about that experience. Perhaps you were further along into the pregnancy, a factor that affects the ease of the procedure. Maybe the physician or staff didn't treat you as you wanted to be treated, leaving you feeling angry. If you felt pushed into the decision by someone and not allowed to explore your own feelings, this may have made the experience more difficult. Think about how you want this experience to be this time and give yourself the comforts and support systems you need to create a positive abortion experience.

If you think you are in danger if a boyfriend or family member discovers that you are having an abortion, we urge you to make alternate arrangements to get to a safe place, like a friend's house, if you need to.

If any of these considerations are posing problems for you, please come have a conversation with us.

You may want to write down your questions and concerns and bring them to us. It is important to us that you come to the decision that is right for you.

In the meantime, you may want to check these websites that offer additional information and resources.

Pregnancy Options.info - Abortion: Which Method is Right for Me?

Mifeprex (Mifepristone) Tablets

What to expect
When you arrive here, you will be welcomed and asked to complete informed consent forms and a standard medical history. You will have labwork, a blood and urine test, and an ultrasound to make sure you are less than 8 weeks (56 days) pregnant. We will be with you all the way.

If everything checks out medically, we will sit down with you, review your medical history, answer your questions and give you an opportunity to talk about any emotional or spiritual concerns. Our abortion counseling services are excellent. This is a safe place to express your feelings. Our staff is ready to listen to anything you want to tell us or ask us. We would be happy to also speak with your support person.

We will explain everything in detail while you are here. We will send you home with full information, pain medication and, of course, encourage you to call us if you have any questions as you go through the abortion process.

Protect your health.
The only way to ensure the non-surgical abortion has been completed is to return to the Center for your follow-up ultrasound. Because we care about your health, there is no charge to you.

Please remember, here at Northland Centers, it's all about you!
We are here to answer your questions, offer you support and resources
for all your reproductive healthcare decisions.
Most of all, here, we treat you with the dignity
and respect you deserve.
Call us.

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Last page update: 9/07