What is Abortion?
Abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. It’s also sometimes known as a termination of pregnancy. The pregnancy is ended either by taking medicines or having a surgical procedure.
Legal Abortion Prices In South Africa
Abortions are free at government hospitals and clinics. In private facilities such as Marie Stopes, medical abortions cost about R2 000 in 2022.
Is medication abortion different from emergency contraception like Plan B?
Yes, medication abortion is different from emergency contraception like Plan B One-Step and Ella, known as “morning-after pills.”
Emergency contraception pills are taken within 3 to 5 days after having unprotected penis-in-vagina sex. These medications help prevent a pregnancy before it begins — they don’t end an existing pregnancy.
How effective are abortion pills?
Medication abortion is a highly effective way to end a pregnancy. However, medication abortion becomes less effective the longer someone has been pregnant. Effectiveness appears to start waning after 12 weeks.
Rarely, if medication abortion isn’t completely effective, some pregnancy tissue will remain in the body. This is known as an “incomplete abortion.”
People who experience an incomplete abortion may need another dose of misoprostol or surgical intervention to complete the process.