"An abortion pill is definitely safe and a better option over the surgical abortion provided your pregnancy is less than seven weeks. Anytime past seven weeks requires surgical abortion," explains Dr. Duru Shah, Consulting Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Mumbai.

Effectiveness

The pill is effective only if your pregnancy is less than seven weeks. Why?

"The pill if taken in the first seven weeks cuts off nutrition to the foetus. However, post seven weeks your baby starts getting its food from the placenta. And the pill does not have the effectiveness to affect your placenta," says Dr. Shah.

This means post seven weeks, taking the pill will lead to partial abortion. That is part of your pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus. This can cause severe infection which if not treated can lead to cancer.

How to Take the Pill?

"Do not take the pill on your own or without consulting your gynaecologist," warns Dr. Shah.

If your home pregnancy test shows positive, visit your gynaec immediately for an ultrasound and blood test. This is to make sure that your conception has happened in the uterus and not in the fallopian tube.

This will also determine your pregnancy stage.

"Many times, women are not aware of their pregnancy until the third month. In such a scenario it is imperative that you undergo an ultrasound," says Dr.Shah.

If it is a normal pregnancy, after the sonography, you will have to undergo counselling with your doctor where you will be advised about the pros and cons of medical abortion.

There are two set of pills to be taken for the abortion to be complete. The first set of pills will be given to you at the clinic.

This won't cause any discomfort as the pill only cuts off nutrition to the foetus. You will be advised to take a second set of pills 12 hours later. This helps to open the cervix, causing mild contractions, then softens your uterus, and causes it to dilate and expel the embryo.