A second visit is required to be certain that the abortion is complete and that there is no retained tissue. With surgical abortions the heaviest vaginal bleeding occurs in a physician's office, while you are under observation. With mefipristone and misoprostol the heaviest vaginal bleeding occurs when you're at home. Both medical and surgical abortions are safe methods. Surgical abortions have been studied for many decades and have an excellent safety record with very low rates of complications in experienced hands.
Medical abortions allow women to undergo the abortion process in the privacy of their own homes.
Both medical and surgical abortions require at least 2 office visits. Surgical abortions have the 'advantage' of allowing the woman to be treated with intravenous sedatives during the 'worst' portion of the procedure.