Rouge Pills
How To Use Misoprostol Alone For Abortion
Misoprostol was the “first abortion pill”.
It was traditionally used to treat stomach ulcers, but had the side effect of causing uterine contractions that could also empty the uterus when taken.
Discovered by Brazilian activists in the 1970s, misoprostol has become the “gold star” for miscarriage and abortion care all over the world.
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It is safe and will not impact your future fertility.
Misoprostol works by causing strong uterine contractions necessary to expel the contents of your uterus.
Misoprostol is best absorbed in soft tissues of the body, like our cheeks or vaginal walls.
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One dose for misoprostol is 4 pills of 200mcg each.
There are three ways to take Misoprostol:
Sublingual
(under the tongue)
Buccal
(Between the cheeks and teeth)
Vaginal
(insert pills deep into the vaginal canal)
It is important these medicines dissolve for at least 30 minutes. ​
After 30 minutes, swallow the remnants. ​
If you vomit before 20 minutes, you may need to repeat your misoprostol dosage after your nausea goes away.
If your pills don’t start dissolving within the first 10 minutes, you may need to dip it for 3 seconds in a glass of water.
The whole abortion process can take between 2 days and 2 weeks from the time you take misoprostol, until the time you stop bleeding. ​It is important to plan ahead for this, and make sure you have time to rest when you take the misoprostol.
The pills mimic the process of a miscarriage. The secrets to gauging the level of pain you may experience during an abortion can be found in the intensity (or lack thereof) of your menstruation or previous births/ abortions.
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Always trust your body to alert you to anything that doesn’t feel normal. Our team of Rouge Doulas are always here to support you if you have any questions.
IMPORTANT:
Misoprostol leaves the bloodstream within 6 hours of taking it. There is no way for anyone to detect it on any kind of test.
However, chalky remnants of the pills can be seen in the vaginal canal for days after the pills have been inserted.
If you live in a country where abortion is restricted, the buccal or sublingual routes are advised.
How Many Doses of Misoprostol Do I Need?
For early abortion (less than 12 weeks) 1 dose of misoprostol may be sufficient. Sometimes it is necessary to continue taking more doses every three hours. (Not without mife. Usually we see 12 minimum).
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Many people start bleeding 1-9 hours after taking the first misoprostol dose. Some people bleed quite a bit, and the embryo/ fetus passes easily. Others don’t bleed at all right away, or the process can take even a few more days for the body to pass it. If you have any questions during your process, contact a Rouge Doula for support.
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It is crucial to pay close attention to your body. Monitor your bleeding, and pay close attention to when the embryo/ fetus passes. Once this has occurred, the majority of the abortion is complete.
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If you feel like you have NOT bled enough, you may need to take more misoprostol.
Second Trimester Abortion with Misoprostol
If you are more than 12 weeks pregnant, you will need to take several doses of misoprostol, every three hours until the process is complete.
For example:
Dose 1 : take 4 pills of misoprostol (200 mcg each)
Wait three hours
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Dose 2: take 4 pills of misoprostol (200 mcg each)
Wait three hours
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Dose 3: take 4 pills of misoprostol (200 mcg each)
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Continue this way until you feel that the process is complete.
