Medical Abortion Clinic — Melbourne
At Camberwell Medical Group, we offer a number of family planning solutions to help people access the best information and healthcare for themselves and their futures. If you have made the decision to have a medical abortion, our Melbourne team can provide the services and support you need to terminate the pregnancy safely and assuredly.
What is a Medical Abortion?
A medical abortion is a non-invasive procedure that can be used to end a pregnancy without the need for surgery or anesthesia. Typically, a medical abortion involves taking two medicines: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone works by blocking the hormone progesterone, causing the lining of the uterus to thin and preventing the embryo from staying implanted. Misoprostol is taken 36 to 48 hours after mifepristone and helps to open the cervix and contract the uterus to expel its contents.
Who Can Have a Medical Abortion?
In Australia, you can undergo a medical abortion up to 9 weeks after the first day of your last period. If your pregnancy is any further along, a medical abortion will no longer be a suitable option, and you will need to have a surgical abortion instead. A medical abortion may also not be a suitable option for you if:
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You currently have an IUD inserted
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Your pregnancy is outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)
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You have a bleeding disorder or severe anaemia
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You take or have taken corticosteroids or blood thinners for a prolonged period of time
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You have an issue with your adrenal glands
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You would be unable to access emergency healthcare in the 14 days after the procedure
Does a Medical Abortion Hurt?
Cramps are a common side effect of a medical abortion and typically start around 1-4 hours after taking the second dose of medication, but how painful is a medical abortion, exactly? Anticipating the intensity of this can be difficult, as pain tolerance and the level of discomfort experienced can vary from person to person. However, you can expect to experience cramping, which most people find to be much stronger than regular period cramps.
While this cramping can last between 1-2 days, the most severe pain should typically last no more than an hour after the initial onset. Your healthcare professional may provide you with pain relief beforehand or recommend certain over-the-counter medications. We will also provide you with an information sheet that offers aftercare advice and outlines at-home strategies to help you deal with your symptoms during this time.
If your pain ends up worrying you, becoming unmanageable, or persisting longer than you believe it should, consult your healthcare professional to discuss your symptoms and receive medical advice.
Are There Any Other Symptoms?
You can also expect an onset of heavy vaginal bleeding within the first 24 hours of taking the second dose of abortion medication. While this bleeding shouldn’t add to the pain, it can be an uncomfortable experience due to how heavy it can be.
Once bleeding starts, it is normal to pass large blood clots and clumps of tissue. After the first few hours, your bleeding should settle to the same level as your normal period and remain like this for the next few days to a week.
Some people may also experience sporadic and/or prolonged bleeding for up to five weeks after a medical abortion. As well as vaginal bleeding and cramps, you may encounter the following symptoms in the first few days:
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Dizziness
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Headache
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Fever
When to Contact Your Doctor About Your Symptoms
If you have any concerns about your symptoms, they become unmanageable, or they persist longer than they should, notify your doctor as soon as you can to let them know. You should also contact your health professional immediately if you experience any of the following after taking your second dose of abortion medication:
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Your initial heavy bleeding does not subside within 2 to 6 hours of it starting
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You feel you are bleeding too heavily (filling more than 2 pads an hour for more than 2 consecutive hours)
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You pass blood clots that are as large as or larger than the size of your fist
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You have an ongoing high fever or chills
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You experience an unusual or smelly vaginal discharge
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You have nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea that lasts more than 24 hours
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You do not experience any bleeding within the first 24 hours
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You think you might still be pregnant after a week
How Much Does a Medical Abortion Cost in Victoria?
The cost of the procedure can vary depending on the individual medical abortion clinic’s fees and billing structure. At Camberwell Medical Group, we use a mixed billing structure for all of our healthcare services to ensure we can provide our patients with the best possible care at an affordable rate. Head over to our fee page for more information on our prices, or contact our team today to discuss your needs and enquire about our specific service costs.
Understanding the Procedure
When you first visit our clinic for a medical abortion, our Melbourne team will go over the entire procedure with you, discuss aftercare, and answer any questions you may have.
Before prescribing the medication, we will need to perform a blood test and an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and determine what stage it is at. This is a routine step and is performed only to make sure you receive the best and most appropriate healthcare for your circumstances. You do not have to view the ultrasound if you do not wish to.
Once we have determined that a medical abortion is the right option for you, we will then prescribe the medication and give you clear instructions regarding how and when to take each dose. We will also arrange to follow up with you after the procedure.
Following Up After the Procedure
We will organise two follow-up appointments scheduled 7 and 14 days after taking the first medical abortion pill. During your first follow-up appointment, we will perform another blood test to check if your hormone levels have dropped and confirm you are no longer pregnant.
During your second follow-up appointment, we will make sure the pregnancy has ended properly and that all tissue has been expelled from your uterus. We will also carry out a routine health check-up to ensure there are no other complications and will give you the opportunity to review your contraception.
Should you require any further support after your medical abortion, our doctors will be there to provide ongoing care and additional referrals to help you properly maintain your health.
Contact Our Clinic Today
If you’re looking for a reputable medical abortion clinic that can provide the compassionate and effective healthcare you need, look no further than Camberwell Medical Group. Reach out to our clinic to discuss your requirements with our professional and friendly team, and book an appointment with us today.
