What is Prostaglandin Induced Abortion

Prostaglandin induced abortion is a procedure that uses prostaglandins to end a pregnancy.

Prostaglandins are hormone-like medicines used to start labor by making the uterus tighten (contract). Prostaglandin-induced abortion can be done during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Parts of the placenta and other afterbirth remaining in your uterus. If this happens, you may need to have a procedure where the inside of your uterus is scraped to remove it (dilation and curettage, or D&C).
• Heavy bleeding.
• Painful cramping that is not relieved by over-the-counter medicines.
• Infection.
• Failure to end the pregnancy. If this happens, you may need to have a dilation and curettage.

What happens before the procedure?

• You may have an exam of your outer and inner genitals and reproductive organs (pelvic exam).
• You may have a blood test to confirm that you are pregnant.
• You may have an ultrasound of your uterus.
• After discussing the procedure with your health care provider, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
• Ask your health care provider about changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.

What happens during the procedure?

• You will take prostaglandin in tablet form by mouth. After you take the medicine, you will be able to go home.
• The medicine will induce bleeding that may last for a few hours or up to a few days, similar to a heavy menstrual period.
• Within 1–3 days of taking this medicine, you will be instructed to take more medicine by mouth or by putting it directly into your vagina (suppository). Follow your health care provider’s instructions carefully.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• You may have cramps for a few days. They may feel like menstrual cramps.
• You will continue to have bleeding that may last up to a few days, similar to a heavy menstrual period.
• After about 2 weeks, or when you have stopped bleeding, you may have an ultrasound to confirm that you are no longer pregnant.

Summary

• Prostaglandin-induced abortion is a procedure that uses prostaglandins to end a pregnancy.
• This is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur including failure to remove all the placenta and afterbirth and failure to end the pregnancy. Other problems include cramping, bleeding, and infection.
• You will take a prostaglandin in tablet form, by mouth. After you take the medicine, you will be able to go home.
• After about 2 weeks, or when you have stopped bleeding, you may have an ultrasound to confirm that you are no longer pregnant.

Care After Prostaglandin Induced Abortion

Here is the information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Bleeding that lasts for a few hours or a few days. It may feel like you are having a heavy menstrual period.
• A headache.
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Chills.
• Dizziness.

Your next period will most likely start 4–6 weeks after the procedure, unless you start taking birth control pills.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Only take the medicines your health care provider recommends. Do not take aspirin. It can cause bleeding.

Activity

• Do not have sex for 2–3 weeks or until your health care provider approves.
• Rest and avoid activity that requires a lot of energy for 2–3 weeks.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

General instructions

• There will be bleeding after the procedure. It is recommended that you:
  • Write down how many menstrual pads you use each day and how soaked they are. This could be useful information for your health care provider.
  • Check for any large blood clots or tissue when you change your menstrual pad. If you pass tissue, save the tissue to show to your health care provider.
• Do not douche or use tampons until your health care provider approves.
• Ask your health care provider when you can start using hormonal birth control (contraception).
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have chills or a fever.
• You have pain that is not relieved by prescription pain medicine.
• You have a bad-smelling vaginal discharge.
• You have pain or bleeding that gets worse instead of better.
• You have any of the following for more than 24 hours:
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe cramps in your stomach, back, or abdomen.
• You pass large blood clots or tissue out of your vagina. Save any tissue for your health care provider to inspect.
• You need to change your pad more than once in an hour.
• You become light-headed, weak, or faint.

Summary

• After the procedure it is common to have bleeding, headache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, chills, and dizziness.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not have sex for 2–3 weeks or until your health care provider approves.
• When you are bleeding after the procedure, write down how many menstrual pads you use each day and how soaked they are.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.