Questions and Answers

Whether you are a woman in need of an abortion, a journalist or are just curious about this service, here we try to answer all possible questions you might have.

Every question has a simple answer and a more in-depth answer which refers to scientific articles. The information given here is regularly updated with the latest scientific research.

General:
Why is this help service needed?
What is a medical abortion?
Is it difficult to use Mifepristone and Misoprostol by yourself?
Is a medical abortion dangerous?
Is it safe to get a consultation for a medical abortion over the internet?
How is this protocol different than using only Misoprostol?
Is it legal?

Pregnancy:
How do you know if you are pregnant and how long you have been pregnant for?
How many weeks into your pregnancy can you do a medical abortion?
What will happen if you do a medical abortion after the first 9 weeks?
What if you are not pregnant but take the medicines anyway?
What are hCG levels during pregnancy?
What if you have a RH-bloodtype?

Precautions:
When should you not use the medicines?
What is a contraindication and how do you know if you have one?
What is an ectopic pregnancy and how do you know if you have one?
What is an IUD?
Why shouldn't you be alone when you do a medical abortion and what if you do it alone anyway?
Why should you be within 60 minutes of a hospital or first aid centre when you do the abortion?
What painkillers can you use?

Medical abortion
How should you use the medicines?
Why should you use Misoprostol buccally, in the space between the gum and cheek?
What happens if you do not use Misoprostol in time?
What if you take the Mifepristone and then decide not to take the Misoprostol?
Can you use Mifepristone and Misoprostol if you are still breastfeeding?
Is it safe to have a medical abortion if you've already had one in the past?
Can you eat or drink while you are taking the medicines?

The abortion process
When will you start bleeding and how long will it last?
What if you don't bleed after you use the medications?
Can you see the products of the abortion (placenta, embryo, blood) and what should you to do with them?
What are the side effects of the medicines?
What is a complete, successful abortion and how do you know if you've had one?

Complications of Medical Abortion
How do you know if you have a complication and what should you do?
How do you know if you have a post-abortion infection?
How do you know if you have an incomplete abortion?
What is a curettage/vacuum aspiration and is it necessary after medical abortion?
How do you know if you have a continuing pregnancy?
What are the chances that the fetus will be malformed if you have an ongoing pregnancy?

Abortion After-Care
Do you require psychological counseling after an abortion?
Does medical abortion increase the risk of breast cancer?
Will you be able to get pregnant and have children after a medical abortion?
When can you start to have sexual relations again after having a medical abortion?
When can you get pregnant again after having a medical abortion?
How can you prevent a future unwanted pregnancy?
Reference List

Pregnancy Calculator

The tool below will help you to estimate how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Enter the date of your last normal Menstrual Period below – the first day that you had bleeding. This will give you the number of days that you are pregnant.


Today you are pregnant … days (… weeks and … days).

A medical abortion works best if the medicines are taken as early as possible in pregnancy and are most effective up to 63 days (9 weeks) of pregnancy.