A Non-Surgical Abortion is one of the safest medical procedures there is. We would like to emphasis that to date we have had NO PATIENT COMPLICATIONS IN OUR OFFICE. We have accomplished this by informing our patients, and by emphasizing cleanliness and sterility throughout our office.

Non-Surgical Abortion with RU-486 is an alternative method for ending an early pregnancy (1-9 weeks) WITHOUT SURGERY or ANESTHESIA. The procedure allows women to have the abortion in their own comfort and privacy. The process entails medications to be administered to the pregnant patient, causing her body to abort the pregnancy, very much like a miscarriage.

	Do I Qualify for a Non-Surgical Abortion?

In order to have a Non-Surgical Abortion with RU-486, you must be less than 9 weeks from the first day of your last period, or less than seven weeks from the time of conception. Our board certified OB/GYN's will do an ultrasound to confirm that you are early enough into the pregnancy to have the procedure done. Our Physicians will also review your medical history to be sure you medically qualify for abortion with RU-486.

This information will help to explain non surgical abortions using RU-486. Our private OB/GYN office also offers surgical termination. Medical abortion using RU-486 (Mifepristone) has been used in Europe successfully since 1988.

RU-486 is 97% effective and should it fail, we will do a surgical abortion in our private office at no additional charge. With RU-486 the risk of complication from surgical abortion such as uterine injury, perforation, infection, and anesthesia complications are completely eliminated. Some women find a non-surgical abortion easier both emotionally and physically. Recent reports from women, who have had a medical abortion with RU-486 show that approximately 92% prefer non-surgical over surgical abortion because it is more private, natural, and gives a woman more control over the procedure.

RU-486 = Mifepristone = The Abortion Pill

RU-486 (Mifeprex/Mifepristone) has been approved by the FDA in October of 2000.

RU-486 works by blocking the hormone progesterone, a hormone naturally needed by the body to maintain an early pregnancy. It causes and early pregnancy to detach from the uterine wall.

	Common side effects of RU-486

Side effects are uncommon but can include mild nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
that last up to one day.

Misoprostol

This drug is a prostaglandin analog that is used in conjunction with RU-486.
Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and cervix to dilate, helping RU-486
to expel the pregnancy.

Common side effects of Misoprostol

Side effects include abdominal cramping, nausea, and diarrhea. These side
effects are typically mild and tolerable, lasting up to a few days. If it is used
vaginally, as it is in our office, it has higher effectiveness and fewer side effects.

	What to Expect at the Time of Your First Visit

• Our receptionist will cordially greet you and ask you to fill out a medical
  history form.
  
  
• A laboratory workup will be done including blood analysis, RH factor,
  urinalysis, urine and/or blood pregnancy test.
  
  
• An ultrasound will be performed by a Board Certified M.D., who has
  special expertise in abortion and ultrasound. The sonogram is done to
  determine the length of your pregnancy.
  
  
• You will be fully informed of the risks and benefits of abortion by
  Ru-486 (the abortion pill) by your Board Certified Physician.
  
  
• If you are a candidate, then you will take the RU-486 in our office orally
  and receive Misoprostol tablets with instruction to take them at home.
  You should expect to begin bleeding within several hours of insertion of
  the tablets and then should terminate the pregnancy.

	Follow Up

You will be required to return to our private practice, one week after your first visit. At your follow up we will perform a sonogram, using our state-of-the-art computerized ultrasound, to evaluate the success of the non surgical termination. You may continue to have light bleeding for 2 weeks. Some patients may have bleeding longer than two weeks. Approximately 3% of patients may require surgical abortion due to failure rate.