Significant increase in need for surgery if medical abortion is started after 8 weeks
The risk factors for surgical intervention of early medical abortion was recently studied and published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Meaidi et al., May 2019). The researchers have concluded that if patients are given the medical abortion pill regimen after 8 weeks, the risks are a significant 3 times higher that a abortion pill failure or incomplete process will occur resulting in the need for additional surgical invention.
As Florida Women’s Center is well known for always providing the safest and most appropriate care and medical advice to women seeking abortion services, and as patient safety is our highest and proven priority, we want patients to be fully informed. If women chose to seek the abortion pill from a facility that provides it at this increased risk times greater than 8 weeks, we want patients to be fully informed and recognize the significantly greater risk of failure or an incomplete process that could result in increased unacceptable bleeding and the need for emergent surgical intervention. Always ask your doctor to fully explain the true risks of the abortion pill if you seek it after 8 weeks and fully explain the options and availability any needed surgery when making appointments, for your safety.