Mifepristone is administered in combination with misoprostol, a drug that causes uterine contractions and bleeding. The combination of the two medications terminates the pregnancy. Planned Parenthood's Near North Health Center first offered mifepristone abortions Wednesday, said Vasyl Markus, the organization's vice president of public policy. Four women underwent the procedure last week. Before having a medical abortion, women must undergo a counseling session at Planned Parenthood in which specialists explain mifepristone's function and possible side effects, Markus said.
Doctors then perform a pelvic exam and an ultrasound to make sure that the woman is pregnant.
These processes can occur three to seven weeks into the woman's pregnancy. After confirming the pregnancy, the doctor gives the woman the mifepristone tablet. Two days later, the woman takes two misoprostol pills at home, which complete the abortion process in 92 to 95 percent of all cases. Two weeks later, the woman returns to the clinic for a check-up, and the doctor performs another ultrasound to confirm that the pregnancy has ended. In the rare case that the woman still is pregnant, the doctor can surgically remove the embryo.