Recommendation: Before using medication to terminate pregnancy
- A urine test should be conducted to confirm pregnancy and an ultrasound should be performed to determine the gestational age and whether the pregnancy is in the uterus.
- This medication should not be used if someone is forcing you to decide to terminate the pregnancy, or if you have abnormal bleeding disorders, adrenal gland disorders, ectopic pregnancy, an intrauterine device in place (it must be removed before using the medication), or allergies to Misoprostol (Cytotec) or prostaglandins.
- The risk of terminating a pregnancy using this method is similar to the risk of a natural miscarriage because the mechanism is the same. However, you should have a friend or someone you trust with you when using this medication to assist in case of an emergency.
- In pregnancies less than 13 weeks, more than 75% will miscarry within 24 hours after starting the medication. Some cases may take longer, and the majority will miscarry within 72 hours, up to 95%, and a new round of medication can be started until the miscarriage is complete.
- In pregnancies between 13-20 weeks (must be done in a hospital), about 50% will miscarry within 10-15 hours after starting the medication, and complete miscarriage within 24 hours is as high as 80-90%, with the majority miscarrying within 72 hours.
- Legal termination of pregnancy by a doctor (and according to the Medical Council’s regulations) can be done for reasons that pose a danger to the physical and mental health of the pregnant person, or if the pregnancy resulted from a criminal act such as rape, deception, coercion, or in pregnant individuals under 15 years old, which is considered a pregnancy resulting from a criminal act. No police report is needed to legally terminate the pregnancy if requested by the guardian and the pregnant person.
Information referenced from: Dr. Amorn Kaewsai, Coordinator of the RSA Network (Referral system for safe abortion)