A medical abortion – typically known as an abortion capsule – makes use of remedy to finish a being pregnant. It doesn’t contain any surgical devices or procedures. At Marie Stopes South Africa, a medical abortion is accessible for pregnancies as much as 9 weeks from the primary day of your final menstrual interval.
How does it work?
A medical abortion makes use of a mixture of two medicines:
Mifepristone: That is the primary capsule, taken on the clinic. It blocks progesterone – the hormone your physique must maintain a being pregnant. With out it, the being pregnant can not proceed.
Misoprostol: Taken 24 to 48 hours after the primary capsule, this remedy causes the uterus to contract and expel the being pregnant. This a part of the method takes place at house.
After taking the remedy, you’ll expertise cramping and bleeding – much like a heavy interval – as your physique passes the being pregnant. This course of is full inside just a few hours to a few days for most girls.
What are the advantages of a medical abortion?
No surgical devices or anaesthesia required
The method is accomplished within the privateness of your individual house
Feels extra ‘pure’, much like a miscarriage
Out there through telemedicine for girls in distant areas
Might be the fitting selection for girls preferring a non-invasive choice
What ought to I count on?
Most girls expertise cramping, bleeding, and the passage of clots. Some might really feel nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. These uncomfortable side effects are regular and are attributable to the remedy. Ache aid is normally beneficial, and our medical crew will advise you on what to take.
A follow-up appointment or distant check-in is necessary to substantiate the abortion is full. In uncommon circumstances (about 2–5%), a second spherical of remedy or a follow-up process could also be wanted.
Essential word on breastfeeding:
In case you are at present breastfeeding, you will have to pause breastfeeding throughout a medical abortion, because the remedy can go into breast milk. A surgical abortion could also be a greater choice on this case – converse to our crew for personalised steering.
A New Technique to Entry Medical Abortion: Telemedicine
You now not want to go to a clinic to entry a protected, authorized medical abortion. Marie Stopes South Africa affords a telemedicine abortion service – a discreet, skilled session by telephone or on-line, adopted by your abortion remedy being delivered on to your door.
This service has been a life-changing improvement for a lot of South African ladies, notably those that:
Dwell removed from a Marie Stopes centre or in a rural or distant space
Have restricted transport or can not simply take break day work
Need full privateness and like to handle the method from house
Really feel anxious about visiting a clinic in individual
How does the telemedicine course of work?
The method is easy and totally confidential:
E-book your session – Contact Marie Stopes through telephone or our web site on your telephonic appointment.
Communicate to a certified nurse or physician – Throughout your session, a healthcare skilled will affirm your gestational age, overview your medical historical past, and guarantee a medical abortion is the fitting and protected choice for you.
Obtain your remedy – If applicable, your abortion tablets will likely be discreetly packaged and delivered to your chosen tackle.
Take your remedy at house – Your nurse will information you thru precisely what to anticipate, what to take for ache, and what indicators to observe for.
Observe-up check-in – After finishing the method, you’ll have a follow-up name to substantiate every thing went as anticipated and that you simply’re recovering effectively.
Is it protected?
Sure – when accessed by a registered supplier like Marie Stopes South Africa, telemedicine abortion is a protected and clinically sound choice. The medicines used are authorised by the South African Well being Merchandise Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and are on the World Well being Group’s listing of important medicines.
Please word: telemedicine is barely appropriate for pregnancies as much as 9 weeks. In case you are not sure of your gestational age, our crew can advise you on tips on how to affirm this earlier than your session.


