DISCREET & CONFIDENTIAL
Abortion pills by post
Due to recent changes in the law, we are now able to offer medical abortion pills by post for remote medical abortion in the comfort of your own home.
Suitable for termination of pregnancies up to 10 weeks, you’ll be seen by one of our experienced and sympathetic consultants via phone consultation and your medication will be sent to you in the post for your convenience.
WHY US?
KNOWLEDGE
Everything you need to know about abortion pills by post
No doubt you have questions. Here we explain everything you need to know about medical abortion.
Success and failure of medical abortion
The failure rate of medical abortion is small – just 3% of cases, but it’s still very important to check that you are not pregnant after the miscarriage.
What happens during my consultation?
For your telephone consultation, you will be connected to one of our experienced consultants via telephone. Our consultants are always neutral and empathetic to your requests and will support you with your decision whenever possible.
Please note: Due to the nature of consultations, occasionally previous appointments can run over and cause slight delays. Please rest assured that if there are delays, the consultant will call you as soon as they are able to.
Your consultant will discuss with you the reasons for your request, make an assessment of the duration of your pregnancy and will enquire about your health. They will then advise if medical abortion by post is the best option for you.
In certain circumstances, for example where there is doubt about your menstrual date, duration of pregnancy or period regularity, you may be required to attend the clinic for an ultrasound scan or have this locally if you don’t live within reasonable travelling distance of The Gynae Centre.
Once your treatment has been approved and your consultant is happy for you to proceed, they will clearly explain to you step by step how to take the medications, how soon the miscarriage process will take place and everything you need to know about aftercare. They will also discuss with you the common side effects of the pills and possible complications. Your consultant will provide you with their mobile phone number in case of emergencies or aftercare. You will also have support from The Gynae Centre team via the clinic phone number and over email 24/7.
Your phone consultation will be followed by an email with details of the conversation including the medications and full information about the risks and side effects associated with the termination.
Common side effects to the tablets
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and chills are common side effects. If these happen, just observe, as they usually improve after 24 hours.
Uncommon side effects
In 7% of women placental tissue may remain within the uterus, leading to continuous and sometimes heavy bleeding. This may require surgical evacuation, which may be done at additional cost.
Infection is every rare but do contact the clinic if you have fever for more than 38 hours or if it develops 2-3 days after the miscarriage.
Serious complications
Ectopic pregnancy: Like all pregnancies, you should be aware of the risk of ectopic pregnancy (about 2%) unless you have had an ultrasound to confirm that the pregnancy was inside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy may lead to bleeding inside the abdomen which can be serious and sometimes fatal unless treated promptly. Ruptured ectopic pregnancy may be manifested by stabbing pain in the lower abdomen associated with bloating, discomfort in the upper abdomen, shoulder pain, dizziness and fainting episodes. If this occurs you should contact 999 or go to hospital directly if your condition permits.
Heavy bleeding: Especially if pregnancy is over 6 weeks, if you soak 9 sanitary pads in < 6 hours, (1.5 litres) you should consider calling an ambulance especially if you are feeling dizzy or if you faint.
Termination of pregnancy has not been found to affect future fertility but has been found to be associated with increased risk of premature deliveries, more so with increased number of terminations.
Contraception
Contraceptive pills can be started immediately after the miscarriage, and we will be happy to provide you with prescriptions for up to one year at no additional charge.
If you desire a contraceptive device, this can be fitted at our clinic during your first period (see our fees on the website) or alternatively, you can visit your GP.
Travel after medical abortion
The process of miscarriage is variable from one individual to another. If you travelling by air in the next 14 days, please make sure that you do not take the abortion pills prior to your flight. We advise that you do not travel for 2 weeks after medical abortion. This is because of the risk of bleeding.
However, you can start taking the abortion pills once you land and if are going to stay in that country for 2 weeks before travelling by air again.
We are not responsible for custom regulations to the country that you are visiting. Please check that it is not illegal to carry the abortion pills to your destination.
Furthermore, complications and side effects, such as heavy bleeding, can develop. You will need to be prepared to visit your nearest hospital emergency department in case of complications.
If you do have to travel we suggest that you attend the clinic for an ultrasound scan to be certain that there is no retained placental tissue which might initiate an episode of heavy bleeding during your travel. If you know you need to travel it would be safer for you to have manual evacuation, after which you can travel 24 hours later.
Reasons we may not be able to dispense your abortion pills by post
- If you have irregular periods
- If you are uncertain of conception dates
- If you have been been on oral contraception in the last 3 months
- If you have previously had 3 caesareans
- If you have taken the morning after pill
What is the process?
We explain what happens at each stage of the abortion process you can feel prepared and in control.
Delivery of pills
Delivery of the pills is carried out by a reputable third party courier (UPS or DHL) using standard delivery. Please note that delivery takes 2-3 working days.
The medications
Medications will be delivered to you by a reputable third party courier at no additional charge using standard delivery.
The following will be enclosed in the packet:
- Abortion Pills
- Step 1: Mifepristone, one tablet to be taken by mouth as soon as possible.
- Step 2: 24-48 hours later, 4 Misoprostol tablets to be taken orally (inserted between the cheeks and gums) for 30 minutes and then swallowed with some water. OR preferably inserted in the vagina as explained below.
- Step 3: If you have no pain or bleeding within 3 hours take 2 Misoprostol orally or vaginally.
- Painkillers: Diclofenac 50mg & Cocodamol 15/500mg.
- Low sensitivity pregnancy test.
- Contraceptive pills. Prescription provided if requested.
How to insert the tablet into the vagina
Please note: If you travelling by air in the next 14 days, please make sure that you do not take the abortion pills prior to your flight. See Travel after medical abortion section.
Before you insert the Misoprostol into the vagina, go to the toilet and empty your bowel and bladder. Open the tablets from the packet and have them ready in one hand. lie down on the bed and insert each tablet separately in the vagina as far as your finger can go and repeat with all tablets. Lie down for 15 minutes and then you can move about as usual.
How to take the painkillers
Diclofenac 50 mg: Take 2 tablets as soon as cramps start which may be repeated 8 hourly if required. Follow the instructions on the packet.
Cocodamol 15/500mg: Take 1-2 tablets. This can be repeated a maximum of every 6 hours.
Warning: Do not drive or operate machinery when you take Codeine.
Please note: Hot water bottles may help to ease the pain.
What to expect after inserting the tablets
It is unusual for any pain or bleeding to happen after taking the first tablet but this can occur occasionally, so we advise wearing a sanitary towel just in case.
Once you’ve taken or inserted the Misoprostol tablets, in most cases you will experience cramps and period-like pain which can be severe (very rarely this can be like labour pain). The process may take 6-8 hours, during which time you will have bleeding with clots and sometimes you may see a small foetus depending on the stage of the pregnancy. If you do not have significant pain or bleeding after 3 hours we recommend that you insert 2 more Misoprostol tablets into the vagina.
The cramps and bleeding may continue for a period for 1-2 weeks depending on the duration of pregnancy.
How to check that I am no longer pregnant
- Use the pregnancy test provided. This contains 2 windows: The top window where it is indicated by number 5 (the level of the hormone) is a very sensitive test and is expected to be positive i.e. showing 2 lines ( I I ) even if the treatment is successful. The lower window, indicated by 1000 (the hormone level), should always be negative showing only one line ( I ) if the treatment is successful. If you are in doubt, please phone a nurse at 020 7580 8090.
- We can arrange an ultrasound scan which can be for three weeks later at additional cost.
Contact the clinic if…
- You had no or only minimal bleeding after the second tablet.
- If the pregnancy test is faint or strong positive after 2 weeks.
- If you’ve had no period after 4 weeks.
- If you continue to have bleeding after 4 weeks.
- If you still feel pregnant after 1-2 weeks.
FEES
Cost of Medical Abortion Pills by Post
4-10 weeks- Remote consultation
- Medication by post
- Specialist consultant support by phone up to 4 weeks
