Medical Abortion Services
A new law was passed in Arizona that requires
you to review certain information at least 24 hours prior
to obtaining an abortion. We have attempted
to make this process as simple and efficient as possible by
providing the information online. This law does not require
an extra appointment. You will need to complete the following
steps prior to having the procedure:
1. At least 24 hours prior to having your abortion, you will
need to review certain state-mandated information about your
abortion. At Camelback Family Planning, we offer the Abortion
Pill (Medical Abortion/RU 486) or surgical abortion. Please
be sure to read about the different methods. Once you have
determined which type of abortion you plan to have, please
click
here to read the state-mandated information
if you are going to have a medical abortion, or click
here to read the state-mandated information
if you plan to have a surgical abortion.
2. After you have read through all the materials,
you will need to sign and date the Certification Form before
having the procedure. You can download the "Certification
Form" by clicking here. This form confirms that
you have reviewed all of the required materials. If you don’t
have a printer or would rather not print and sign the form
at home, you may sign this form when you come to the office
for your abortion, as long as you have reviewed the materials
at least 24 hours before the procedure takes place.
Please feel free to call our office at any time if you have
any questions regarding your care. You will have an opportunity
to ask Dr. Goodrick and the staff any additional questions
on the day of your procedure.
Our goal is to provide each patient individual time and attention:
to give information, to answer questions and to make each
patient feel comfortable.
What is RU 486/ Medical abortion with Mifeprex?
Mifeprex is a non-invasive, non-surgical option for ending
an early pregnancy. It can be safely taken up to 49 days after
the first day of the last menstrual period and is 95-98% effective.
Actually, two medications are used in order to end the pregnancy.
Mifeprex, commonly referred to as RU486, is FDA approved and works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is needed to maintain a very early pregnancy. Mifeprex has been available to American women since November 2000 after the FDA approved it. It has been successfully used in dozens of countries by thousands of women all over the world for over 15 years. Many women report medical abortion as being "private" and "more like a miscarriage".
Misoprostol is a prostaglandin-like medication which has
been FDA approved for several years. The drug has been used
in obstetrics to induce labor and to treat stomach ulcers.
The most commonly reported side effects are nausea, vomiting,
chills, fever and diarrhea of brief duration. No other side
effects or adverse reactions have been reported at the dosage
used in this method of pregnancy termination. Misoprostol
will help the uterus to expel the pregnancy.
How does it work?
On your first visit, you will be fully informed of the risks and benefits of the non-surgical method of pregnancy termination. We will review your medical history and perform a gynecological examination with a sonogram to determine the exact duration of your pregnancy. Our staff will discuss your choice of non-surgical abortion, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. A small blood sample will be drawn to test for the Rh factor and hemoglobin. If needed, you will receive an injection of Rhogam during this visit.
Mifeprex is taken orally at your first visit to the office.
It is followed by the Misoprostol tablets, which are placed
in your mouth at home 24 to 48 hours later. You will be given
ten tablets of Vicodin to take for cramping as needed. A medicine
for nausea can be given to you in the office or to take home,
if needed.
The vast majority of women will completely expel the uterine
contents within 6 hours after the Misoprostol. You will experience
vaginal bleeding similar to a heavy menstrual period and cramps
that may be intense. This discomfort will only last 2-3 hours
or so.
One week later at your second visit to the office, you will
be evaluated to determine the completeness of the abortion.
Contraception will be discussed and prescribed. Most women
will continue to bleed lightly for up to 10-14 days. If the
pregnancy tissue has not passed, you might need a D&C
or to repeat the Misoprostol.
If you would like to save time on the day of your first office visit, you can print the required forms, fill them out, and bring them with you.
Please complete the following forms :
Please go to www.earlyoptionpill.com
for more information. To read more about the medical abortion and see
a more detailed comparison of the pros and cons of both methods, visit
www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/first_trimester.html
and www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/medical_abortion.html.
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