Self-Managed Abortion: Signs of Complications During an Abortion with Pills | Episode 7

In Episode 7 of our series on safe abortion, learn the different signs of complication during an abortion with pills, such as excessive bleeding, and what to do in the case of an emergency. This video is part of an eight-chapter instructional series co-produced by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and HowToUseAbortionPill.org. The intention behind these videos is to help ensure that abortion with pills is conducted in a safe, accessible, secure, and respectful manner. In these videos, we'll be taking you through a helpful guide on what to expect before, during and after an abortion with pills.

To get free access to safe abortion information, click here - https://www.howtouseabortionpill.org

HowToUseAbortionPill.org also offers this video series in 26 additional languages at https://bit.ly/3EkMTkz

To find resources specific to your country, click here - https://www.howtouseabortionpill.org/...

Read more about how to ensure a safe abortion with pills from MSF at https://bit.ly/30XJVnC

The information and materials provided by MSF in these videos are intended for general information, general discussion, and education only. Nothing contained in these MSF materials is intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. By providing this information, MSF is not engaged in the practice of medicine, nursing, or the provision of any health care service.

MSF hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the materials shared, which is provided as is, and without warranties.

Video transcript:
Lesson 7: What are signs of complication during an abortion with pills?
In our earlier video, we discussed what to expect during an abortion with pills. But it’s also important that you understand what’s not normal during the abortion process. Both the risk of complication and the need for emergency care are very rare. Only 2 or 3 women for every 100 women who have an abortion with pills will experience a complication, and only 1 in 2000 will need emergency medical care. However, to make the process as safe as possible, it’s important to recognize the signs of a complication and also to have a plan in place for how to access emergency care if needed.

You should go to a doctor or hospital immediately if you have any of the following signs:

1) Bleeding that is so heavy that it soaks up 2 regular menstrual pads every hour for 2 hours in a row.
2) Severe abdominal pain that does not go away with pain medication or continues for 2-3 days after taking the pills.
3) A fever or other side effects that last more than 24 hours.
4) Abnormal vaginal discharge that is yellow, green, or smells bad.

If you have very little bleeding or no bleeding at all 3 days after taking the pills, or if you continue to have moderate to heavy bleeding or cramping that doesn’t decrease 7 days after taking the pills, this may be a sign that the pills didn’t fully work. This is not an emergency, but you should seek medical care or talk to a support person within a day or so. You can also get information and support from trusted online resources like www.safe2choose.org, www.womenhelp.org or www.womenonweb.org.

If you do seek medical care, you do not need to say that you used medicines if you do not want to. You can say you are having a miscarriage and you should receive the appropriate care. The symptoms and treatment of a complication of spontaneous miscarriage and abortion with pills are exactly the same. When misoprostol is taken under the tongue or via the mouth, it cannot be detected in the blood or any other body parts. Sometimes women are advised to put misoprostol tablets in their vagina, which takes longer to dissolve, so pieces of the pills may be visible during an examination by a health care worker.

In our next video, we answer common questions after having an abortion with pills.

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