Procedure/application

First trimester (≤ 12 weeks’ gestation)

Medical abortion

• Up to 10 weeks’ (70 days) gestation
  • Combination of an oral progesterone antagonist (mifepristone) and a prostaglandin analog (e.g., misoprostol) administered 24–48 hours apart
    • Mifepristone
      • Abortion
      • Partial progesterone agonist (acts as progesterone antagonist during pregnancy)
      • Promotes placental separation & uterine contractions
    • Misoprostol
      • Abortion
      • Prostaglandin E1 agonist
      • Stimulates uterine contractions
• After 10 weeks’ gestation: Manage the same as a second trimester abortion.

Surgical abortion

• Dilation and curettage (D&C)