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Is An Abortion Possible At 18 Weeks Of Pregnancy?

Posted on Fri, 21 Aug 2015

Question: abortion after 18 weeks of pregnancy. is it easier to have an abortion after 18 weeks?

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The possibility of complications increase with increasing pregnancy age.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I am Dr Ramadevi Wani. I will be answering your concerns today.

Although safe methods of abortion are available now complications associated with abortions at 18 weeks of pregnancy are more compared to first trimester abortions.

At 18 weeks pregnancy you can have abortion either by medical methods or by surgical method ( Dilatation and Evacuation).

Medical method of abortion takes longer time to complete the abortion process. It is associated with, pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. There can be severe bleeding necessitating blood transfusion ( about 1%). Placenta may not get expelled requiring surgical removal (about 15%). There is risk of infection (2.6%).

Surgical method of abortion although can be finished in one sitting under anaesthesia, safety depends to a large extent on surgical expertise. If the surgeon is not well experienced the procedure carries the risk of severe complications. Even in the presence of experienced surgeon, this method is associated with cervical lacerations ( about 1%), uterine perforations (0.25%-0.4%), hemorrhage ( Up to 2%) and retained products of conception.

The possibility of complications increase with increasing pregnancy age.
I hope this helps.
If you have further concerns, I will be happy to answer.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (19 minutes later)

ok I was curious because I noticed that after 12 weeks the dosage lowers to 2 pills instead of 4 pills under the tongue.

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The uterus becomes more sensitive to Misoprostol in second trimester

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.

The dose of Misoprostol is lowered in second trimester as the uterus becomes more sensitive to the drug in second trimester compared to first trimester.

If you have further concerns, do write to me. I will be happy to answer.

With best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (38 minutes later)

Oh I see. so that means that a dosage of 4 pills can be dangerous after 12 weeks.

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There may be a possibility increased complications with this dosage.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

There may be a possibility increased complications with this dosage in second trimester.

If you have further concerns, i will be happy to answer.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (4 hours later)

can you explain what you mean by complications?

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Details below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

By complications, I mean severity of pain, nausea, vomiting and severity of bleeding.

I hope this helps.

With best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (11 hours later)

how long after intravaginal insertion does the process start to take place?

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Most of them abort in 24 hours time

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Usually the process starts after 6 hours and most of them abort within 24 hours.

Best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (3 hours later)

is this usually after one dosage or multiple dosages?

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This is usually after multiple doses.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

This is usually after multiple doses.
For second trimester abortion using Misoprostol the dose is 400 micrograms every three hours for a total of 5 doses. About 80-86% of them abort in 24 hours.

With best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (42 minutes later)

Oh, I thought I read some places that sometimes only one dosage is needed. So if the abortion is not successful and heavy bleeding does occur, will the pregnancy have to be terminated by a doctor?

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Details below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Few respond to one dose.

When combined with mifepristone single dose may be sufficient.

If the abortion is not successful the dose can be repeated after a week.

If bleeding is heavy pregnancy have to be terminated by doctor.
Best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar