Medical Termination of Pregnancy, or MTP, is a method of ending a pregnancy using medication. It is possible to terminate a pregnancy with drugs in the early stages (7-9 weeks). Beyond this, surgery may be required. The medical termination of pregnancy is permissible in India if the pregnancy is no more than 20 weeks. Only the consent of the pregnant woman is required to legally terminate the pregnancy. The MTP procedure should be conducted by trained gynecologists. It’s important to ask your gynecologist about the risks involved with abortion, ask these can vary depending on how long you’ve been pregnant and how healthy you are.
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When Can One Medically Abort a Pregnancy?
Medical abortions are legal up until the ninth week of pregnancy. It’s possible to start as soon as you find out you’re expecting. An ultrasound will be used by your healthcare professional to confirm that you are pregnant and how long you have been pregnant. There are additional possibilities for stopping a pregnancy if you are more than nine weeks pregnant. Your healthcare professional may inform you of additional possibilities and assist you in deciding which is best for you.
Medical abortion is not a safe choice for those who are too far advanced in their pregnancy, have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus), suffer from blood clotting disease or anemia, or have chronic adrenal insufficiency. It is also not recommended for those who use long-acting corticosteroids, have an intrauterine device (IUD), are allergic to the drugs administered, lack access to emergency care, or are unable to return for a follow-up appointment.
The MTP Procedure
It is possible to have a medical abortion by ingesting drugs orally or through the vaginal canal. There is no need for anesthesia or surgery. It works by combining two medications that, when taken together, cause an abortion. Mifepristone acts by preventing progesterone from being produced. The uterine lining will shrink without progesterone, and the embryo will not stay connected. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, hemorrhage, and evacuate the embryo.
Mifepristone and misoprostol (oral): Mifepristone will be administered by your healthcare practitioner. At home, you’ll take misoprostol for 24 to 48 hours.
Mifepristone (oral) and misoprostol (vaginal, buccal, or sublingual) are similar. The difference is that misoprostol is administered through the vaginal canal, dissolved in the cheek, or administered under the tongue. It should also be administered within 24 to 48 hours following the initial dose.
What to Expect After an MTP Procedure?
Bleeding and cramps may begin one to four hours after the second dose is taken during the MTP procedure. After taking the second tablet, you may experience a mild temperature or chills that continue for approximately a day. Others claim to feel exhausted, nauseated, disoriented, and/or have diarrhea.
If you wish to terminate your pregnancy, it’s best to consult with an experience gynecologist at a reputed hospital. You can also consult with a child specialist in Delhi who can provide more guidance.