A legal way to purposefully end a pregnancy before it has reached term can be done via a procedure called Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP). This type of abortion, which involves using and ingesting one or more medications referred to as induced abortion or purposeful or voluntary termination of pregnancy. The abortion pills can be administered orally or by injection. Antibiotics are also administered to prevent infection. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) method was first introduced in about 1970. MTP is less painful and may be performed at home if the doctor recommends it; it does not need a hospital stay. If the pregnancy is less than six weeks old, doctors could also recommend the at-home treatment.
Gynaecologists and skilled experts do MTP because, despite its small nature, it carries significant risks. Visit a gynaecologist as soon as you can since there might be a lot of problems with the abortion. One must first weigh all the dangers associated with the medical termination of pregnancy before proceeding with it.
The pregnancy test will initially be performed by the gyna ecologist. The pregnancy period will be verified with this test. When pregnant, a USG (ultrasound or sonogram or ultrasonogram) is performed to determine the gestational age and determine if the pregnancy is internal or external to the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).It also helps in ruling out the presence of a uterine tumour (molar pregnancy). Additionally, your health status, sexually transmitted illnesses, and anaemia will be examined.
Mifepristone and misoprostol are among the drugs used in medical abortion procedures (MTP). The hormone Progesterone, which is generated in a woman's body which aids in the pregnancy's growth, is suppressed when the patient receives the first medicine Mifepristone, The medicine is used to terminate the development of the pregnancy in the woman's body. Depending upon the doctor's prescription, the second medicine, Misoprostol, is administered to the patient immediately after the first medication, Mifepristone or after around 48 hours. The second Misoprostol pill causes pain and bleeding to empty the uterus, much like an early miscarriage. Additionally, certain antibiotics are given to the patient to help with their medical issues.
The timing since the patient became pregnant affects the effectiveness of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). For instance, the rate of Abortion Pills is most successful with a rate of 96% to 98% if a patient has been pregnant for eight weeks or less. The chances are low (80%) if the patient has been pregnant for at least 10 to 11 weeks, although the abortion pill can still work if taken in higher doses.
It is conducted with greater discretion and secrecy.
It is a non-invasive technique.
In cases of early pregnancy, medical termination of pregnancy is a safe procedure with a high success rate.
It avoids using surgery, anaesthesia, or vacuum aspiration.
Retained products: After the procedure, tissue shards that remain in the womb might result in ongoing bleeding. Without any therapy, they will often disappear over time. If you want to get rid of them, you might need to take more pills or have a little operation.
Less than one in 1,000 people have a haemorrhage (very intense bleeding), which necessitates a blood transfusion. Seek emergency medical assistance if you are bleeding severely, passing clots the size of a small lemon, or filling more than two large pads each hour for more than two hours.
Symptoms of infection might include discomfort, unusual vaginal discharge, and fever. There are occasions when symptoms are not immediately apparent and may include general symptoms like fatigue, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
Continued pregnancy - In around 1% of cases, medication-assisted abortion fails, and the pregnancy continues. If the pregnancy is less than nine weeks along, the pills can be taken again; otherwise, a surgical abortion would be necessary. 1% of people develop an infection that requires antibiotic therapy.
It's crucial to schedule a follow-up consultation to confirm that the operation was successful and the pregnancy was terminated. A blood test is frequently requested by doctors to see if the amount of the pregnancy hormone has decreased. In two weeks, you will receive an appointment for a review.
You must take out an intrauterine device (IUD) before taking the first medicine (mifepristone), as it can disrupt the process.
MTP kits are indeed available for use at home, but only with a physician's prescription.
According to the 1971 MTP Act, ‘An Act to provide for the termination of certain pregnancies by registered medical practitioners and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.’
After a pregnancy is ended medically, recovery typically takes 7 to 10 days. It could take longer, though, if a medical abortion is rendered ineffective or if problems arise.