We know 6 weeks is too early to notice a gestational sac with an ultrasound; however, most women are seeking abortion at 6 weeks or more. There are several reasons why a woman chooses to end a pregnancy as early as the pregnancy is detected, or as early as she misses her period.
The effectiveness of medical abortion using the Mifepristone and Misoprostol pill in pregnancies less than 42 days of gestation is high. Termination at 6 weeks is considered ideal due to a high success rate, fewer side effects and a smoother process.
What is the Success Rate of Medical Abortion at 6 Weeks?
The success rate of medical abortion at 6 weeks is about 95-99% if the pills are taken correctly. Given the effective nature of abortion pills, the majority of people don’t need additional medication or surgical intervention. The body completes the abortion naturally at home.
The success rate at 6 weeks is higher because the fetus is still very tiny and doesn’t require much work to expel. As the pregnancy advances, like 7-9 weeks, the rate of effectiveness decreases, and the chances of taking extra medications increase.
Studies conducted on the administration of mifepristone and misoprostol have revealed that consuming misoprostol pills buccally at 59 days of gestation is as effective as taking them vaginally at 63 days of gestation. It should also be noted that the vaginal method has a high risk of vaginal infections; hence, most healthcare professionals recommend the buccal method, and so do we.
In simple words, the abortion pills success rate at 6 weeks is among the best attainable outcomes.
How Does Medical Abortion Work in Early Pregnancy?
The medical abortion procedure includes the administration of two pills, Mifepristone and Misoprostol, by following the guidelines. The first mifepristone is taken orally, and 24-48 hours later, misoprostol pills are taken either buccally or vaginally.
Mifepristone blocks the progesterone hormone, which helps to sustain the pregnancy and its development. However, with a lack of this hormone, the uterine lining breaks down, the cervix softens, and the fetus is separated from the uterine wall. So when 24-48 hours later, misoprostol pills are taken, it helps in the smooth expulsion of the pregnancy tissues, in the form of bleeding and sometimes clots.
Factors That Can Affect the Success Rate at 6 Weeks
Even with a high medical abortion success rate, some factors can interfere with how effective a medical abortion is, like:
Correct dosage and timing of taking pills
Quality and authenticity of abortion pills
Following the instructions carefully, especially with misoprostol
Individual body response to the medication
Rare medical conditions affecting the uterine response
Most failures that you may have heard or read about are because of incorrect use or low-quality pills, rather than the method itself. Steer clear of these factors, and abortion will be successful.
Signs Medical Abortion Has Worked
Many patients want to know for certain if their abortion pills worked. While
every individual’s body gives a different response, some common abortion
symptoms confirm a successful medical abortion. Look out for these signs
after taking Mifepristone and Misoprostol:
Bleeding and cramping: Bleeding after abortion is certain; it’s one of the first signs that the abortion is happening, and the other is cramping. You feel these side effects when the pregnancy tissues are coming out of the vagina.
Passing clots or tissues: While bleeding, you may see some clots or actual tissues that have come out; they are pieces of the pregnancy that have been expelled from the uterus. At 6 weeks, you may not be able to recognise the tissues, but clots are common.
Fewer pregnancy symptoms: Nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, or food aversions you felt during pregnancy will gradually disappear within a few days after abortion. This happens when pregnancy hormones drop.
A negative pregnancy test after 2-3 weeks: Wait till after 2 weeks to take a pregnancy test, as pregnancy hormones take time to leave the body, and an early pregnancy test can lead to a false positive. Consider taking the test after 3 weeks to get the expected outcome.
Note: Light bleeding can continue for a few weeks even when the abortion is complete. This alone does not mean something is wrong. Abortion aftercare is necessary during the recovery phase.
Signs of an Incomplete or Unsuccessful Medical Abortion
Just like there are symptoms to identify a successful abortion, similarly, there are signs that tell you there’s something wrong and that the abortion is incomplete. If you notice these signs, know that you have an unsuccessful medical abortion:
Little or no bleeding after taking the misoprostol pills
Persistent pregnancy symptoms even after 2 weeks of abortion
Positive pregnancy test after 4 weeks
Continued abdominal pain with no improvement with medicines
In most situations, an incomplete abortion does not require immediate attention, but it does necessitate follow-up treatment to avoid infection or continued bleeding.
What to Do If the Abortion Pill Did Not Fully Work
If a medical abortion is incomplete, healthcare providers may recommend:
A repeat dose of misoprostol pills
Monitoring with follow-up tests or ultrasound
A simple in-clinic procedure if medication is not effective
At 6 weeks, repeat medication is often enough to complete the process safely.
Medical Abortion Safety at 6 Weeks
Medical abortion is extremely safe at 6 weeks and is a medically
approved process. Serious complications are rare, especially when the
pregnancy is under 7 weeks, pills are taken as perthe guidelines, and
warning signs are recognised early.
The side effects that occur during the abortion process, like nausea, fever,
chills, and diarrhoea, are temporary and resolve within a few days.
