According to the Centers for Disease Control, 57 percent of abortions performed in the United States take place before eight weeks gestation. Doctors perform elective terminations of a pregnancy either surgically or medically and determine the proper method by how far along in her pregnancy the patient is. Patients can only opt for a medical abortion within the first nine weeks of gestation. According to the American Pregnancy Association, three drugs perform medical abortions: Methotrexate, Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
Methotrexate
Doctors administer Methotrexate in pill or injection form through the first seven weeks of gestation. The FDA has approved this drug to treat cancer and rheumatoid arthritis and it acts by inhibiting the metabolism of folic acid in the human body, thereby attacking rapidly growing cells. While not approved as an abortifacient, Methotrexate separates the fetus and placenta from the uterus. Doctors will not use this drug after seven weeks gestation, or for women with anemia, seizure disorders or an IUD. It carries a risk of high fever, heavy bleeding, infection and dizziness.
Mifepristone
Doctors administer Mifepristone orally from seven to nine weeks gestation. This synthetic steroid blocks progesterone from the fetus, causing it to die. In smaller doses, pharmacies sell this drug over the counter as RU-486 (the morning after pill) in many states. When used as an abortifacient, it often causes the body to expel the fetus without using Misoprostol. As with Methotrexate, women with anemia, seizure disorders or an IUD should not use this drug, and it carries a risk of high fever, heavy bleeding, infection and dizziness.
Misoprostol
Misoprostol treats missed miscarriages, induces labor, and causes the body to abort a fetus. Doctors give patients this drug five to seven days after Methotrexate and 48 hours after Mifepristone to cause the uterus to contract and force out the fetus or fecal matter remaining in the womb. When used with Methotrexate, it has a 90 percent effectiveness rate. When used with Mifepristone, it has a 92 percent effectiveness rate. Two weeks after a patient takes Misoprostol, doctors perform a physical exam to ensure that the abortion succeeded. The 8 to 10 percent of women who do not have a completed abortion after taking Misoprostol must then undergo a surgical abortion. Misoprostol carries the risk of diarrhea, chills, dizziness, fever, vomiting, cramping, headaches and heavy bleeding. When administered vaginally, it carries an increased risk of infection.
