Medically Induced Abortion

You have been tested for Chlamydia at your general practitioner. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted bacteria, which can cause pelvic inflammatory disease.

It is important that you contact your general practitioner and get the test result before the abortion. An untreated Chlamydia infection can cause infertility later in life.

You need to take pain relieving medicine during the days, you're having the abortion.

We recommend that you buy Paracetamol and Ibuprofen before the abortion at the pharmacy.

Mifepristone initiates the abortion. You will probably not feel any discomfort taking Mifepristone, but it is not uncommon to feel a slight nausea or pain or have a light bleeding.

If you experience pain, you can take the over the counter pain killers such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.

Usually, you can perform your normal activities during this day.

Contact the clinic (Kvindesygdomsklinikken) if you feel insecure or have questions.

On Day 2 in the morning you place 4 tablets Cytotec at the top of the vagina.

Rest for 1½ - 2 hours, while the medicine is absorbed in your body. Afterwards it is a good idea to move around to promote the process.

Preventing and relieving pain

You can expect til feel pain as if you're having severe menstrual cramps when the abortion starts.

It is therefore important that you take pain relieving medicine at the same time as you take Cytotec to prevent pain. It is advised to take 2 tablets Paracetamol (500 mg) and 2 tablets Ibuprofen (200 mg). You are advised to take this combination of tablets in regular intervals of 6-8 hours. You can take Paracetamol 4 times a day and Ibuprofen 3 times a day.

In addition to pain relieving medicine, you can also use heat as a way of relaxing your muscles and easing the pain. Use a hot water bottle, an electric heating pad or make your own heating pad. 

When you start bleeding

Usually, you will start to bleed within a few hours. The bleeding will often be heavier than a normal menstrual bleeding and may be mixed with blood clots. The length of the pregnancy will determine how heavy the bleeding may be.

We recommend that you stay at home accompanied by another adult while the abortion takes place. 

Most women bleed heavily after 4 to 6 hours, but in rare cases several days may pass before the bleeding starts.

Contact the clinic (Kvindesygdomsklinikken) if you have not started bleeding after 2 days.

Acceptable bleeding is up to twice the normal amount of menstrual bleeding. Unacceptable bleeding is if you experience bleeding through several large sanitary towels within 1 hour.

If you experience unacceptable bleeding, please contact the ward (Kvinder og Nyfødte Sengeafsnit) or clinic (Kvindesygdomsklinikken).

If you experience problems within the first 24 hours, please contact Kvindesygdomsklinikken or Kvinder og Nyfødte Sengeafsnit. 

After the first 24 hours you need to contact your general practitioner or doctor on call.

It is normal to experience heavy bleeding for 1 week, then decreasing. It is normal to bleed of varying strength for 2 to 3 weeks after the abortion.

You may experience menstrual pain during the first days after the abortion. Take pain relieving medicine as advised.

You do not need to be absent from work.

While bleeding occurs, you should prevent infection by:

• Avoiding sexual intercourse or use condoms
• Avoiding swimming in the sea or swimming pool
• Avoiding using tampons, use sanitary towels

In rare cases, heavy bleeding or infection may occur. Contact your general practitioner or doctor on call if:

• You bleed heavily compared to a normal menstruation
• You experience severe pain in the lower abdomen
• You experience foul smelling discharge
• You get fever and pain in the lower abdomen
• You still bleed or feel pregnant after 3 to 4 weeks

You can expect your next period after 3 to 6 weeks after the abortion. You can get pregnant during this period of time. Therefore it is important to start using contraception as soon as you want to have sex.

You can start using birth control pills on the day of the abortion.

If you wish to have an intrauterine device (IUD), your general practitioner can insert this at the end of your next period.

It is quite normal to experience an emotional reaction when having an abortion. These reactions are different and range from relief to sadness or maybe both. We recommend that you share these reactions with a friend or a member of family.

According to the law it is possible to make an appointment with your general practitioner or Mødrehjælpen (tel 33 45 86 00) to talk things over.