Late medical abortion

Day 1

You will see a midwife and she will check your blood pressure, a urin sample, your iron levels (Hemoglobin) and also do a gynecological examination.

• You will be given a tablet Mifepristone. The tablet contains a hormone which blocks the production of pregnancy supporting hormones.
• It’s best to eat something before you take this tablet, you’re less likely to vomit. If you vomit within an hour of taking the tablet come back to the clinic for another one. A few patients can experience severe nausea the day after taking this tablet.
• You can experience abdominal pain similar to menstrual cramp. Take a pain killer such as Alvedon or Ipren if you need to.
• Come to the emergency gynecology clinic (Gynakuten) if you start bleeding or if you have a lot of pain.

Day 3-4

At home 6 o’clock in the morning you take the pain killers you’ve been given and insert 4 Cytotec tablets in your vagina

• Eat breakfast before you come. Have food for the day with you. Tea, coffee and juice is available. There’s a fridge, microwave and kettle you can use. Wear comfortable clothes and bring some extra underwear. You can have another adult with you for support/ company.
• Whilst you’re at the hospital you’ll be given more Cytotec tablets until you abort. If necessary, you will receive help for the pain with hot pads, TENS, a warm shower or pain killing tablets or injections.
• Sometimes you need to stay in the hospital overnight. When the gynecology clinic closes for the day you’ll be moved to the delivery room or to a ward. Occasionally you will need surgery to clean out the uterus, you will be moved to a ward for this.

After the abortion

You can have pain similar to menstrual cramp the first few days, use pain killers if you need to. The bleeding will be like a heavy menstrual bleed for the first seven days. It will become lighter over the next few weeks. If you have very heavy bleeding or signs of an infection such as increased pain, high temperature or smelly vaginal discharge get in contact with the out patient clinic (Gynmottagningen). To prevent the production of breast milk wear a well fitting supportive bra, a sports bra is ideal. Avoid massaging your breasts.

Contraception

If you want to use the contraceptive pill or patch you can start using it the same day as the abortion or the following day. A vaginal ring can be used from when your bleeding has slowed down. If you have a prescription for a hormone injection or spiral (intra uterine device = IUD), collect them from the pharmacy and take them with you to your next appointment.

When you come to the hospital always register in the main entrance. Take you identity card with you. Then go to Gynmottagningen, house 19, floor 4A. You will be charged 250 kr for the first visit and 250 kr for the second visit. If you stay longer than one day the second visit you will be sent a bill for 110 kr per day, for those over 18 years of age.