Medical abortion in hospital

If you opt for a medical abortion in hospital, you will be admitted to the hospital until the abortion is completed. You will be given the same treatment as if this is done at home. There are no special criteria for performing an abortion in hospital. You are free to choose whether you wish to have this done at home or in hospital.

Pre-examination
When scheduling an abortion, you will first be given an appointment for a pre-examination at the hospital. During the pre-examination, healthcare staff will measure your blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs, and take an ultrasound to determine exactly how many weeks you have been pregnant. The ultrasound will be internal, which involves inserting a small oblong rod into the vagina.

Before the abortion
Two days after taking the first pill, you will return to the hospital, where you will be given two pills to be inserted into the vagina. These pills will cause the uterus to contract.

During the abortion
Once the abortion is finished, you can go home. You will normally go home the same day, but it is important that you speak with someone at the hospital if you need more time or follow-up.

After an abortion
After an abortion, vaginal bleeding will gradually stop after two to three weeks. Use a menstrual pad as long as you are bleeding. Tampons present a risk of infection and must be avoided. You should avoid sexual intercourse, swimming and bathing after an abortion, or for as long as you are bleeding. Showering is fine.

The most common symptoms afterwards are bleeding and abdominal pain. There is little risk of infection. There is no regular check-up after an abortion, but you should take a pregnancy test after four weeks to make sure the pregnancy is terminated (around one in 100 are still pregnant after a medical abortion). If your menstrual period does not return after four to six weeks, you should take a pregnancy test or contact your doctor to find out if you are still pregnant.

There are rarely any physical complications after an abortion, whether medical or surgical. However, it is important to contact the hospital if:

  • you are bleeding through more than six overnight menstrual pads in two hours
  • you have a fever
  • you have had pain for more than 14 days
  • you have heavy bleeding with clots for more than 14 days
  • you have been bleeding for more than four weeks

Do you need someone to talk to?
At Amathea, you will meet healthcare professionals with extensive experience in counselling on abortion and miscarriage, regardless of the type or when it occurred. We are a neutral healthcare service, have a duty of confidentiality, and can help you in your situation and in making your decision. You may come alone or together with your partner or co-parent.

All of our services are free of charge. We offer sessions in Norwegian and English. We can also book interpreters for other languages. A session here lasts about an hour, and you can talk with us on video, by phone, or at one of our offices. You decide how many sessions you need, and we will schedule these together.

   
Source: Helsenorge