How do I book an appointment for an abortion?

Please call reception to book an appointment - typically two visits will be needed if you are considering an early medication abortion - the two visits must be at least three days apart. Dr Mark Murphy and Dr Irene McDonnell are experienced abortion providers.

Please call us to book an appointment: +35312150770

How does the process work?

Tablet 1: Mifepristone - which ends the pregnancy

• A medication named Mifepristone 200mg today (Trade name Mifegynae) will be given to you to take at your second visit.

• You are likely to feel nausea. If you vomit within 60 minutes of taking Mifepristone, you will need to return to the surgery to repeat the medication. Have tampons available today (may not be necessary).

• If you have decided to start contraception, you can start it on this day.

Tablets 2: Misoprostol (X 2 tablets) - this makes the uterus contract causing cramping, then bleeding / miscarriage

• At the second visit you will be given a second medication named Misoprostol (2 x 400mg tabs) to be taken 24- 48 hours after the first tablet (Trade name: MisoOne).

• BEFORE taking Misoprostol, take pain and nausea medications that have been prescribed to you.

  • For pain: Ibuprofen (can take up to 600mg-800mg at one time) and/or Solpadeine™ (X2 tablets)

  • For nausea: Metoclopramide 10mg for nausea

• How to take Misoprostol:

  • You should put one each of the Misoprostol tablets into the space between your gum and your cheek. One on each side of your mouth. Hold the tablets like this for 30 minutes. 

  • Do not eat, drink or smoke during this time. 

  • After 30 minutes, most of the medication will have been absorbed.  Sip a little water and swish it around your mouth and swallow any remaining medication.

• Preparing for the effects of medication:

  • Use a hot water bottle/ heat pad and ideally a person to support you. Stay in a warm comfortable environment and wear comfortable clothes. Wear pads and not tampons. You should plan to be at home for the day (you should not work; if you have children, you might need somebody to mind them).

What to expect?

• You may experience dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhoea and flushing after taking Misoprostol.

  • Cramping: Can start ~ 30 minutes after taking the Misoprostol.

  • Bleeding and miscarriage: It is unpredictable, but typically within 1- 6 hours after taking this medication you will expel the products and clots followed by bleeding and cramping for 2 hours and ongoing bleeding which is at least as heavy as a period. Normal bleeding can continue like a period for over a week, even with spotting afterwards.

Call the surgery or My Options (1800 828 010) if:

1. You have no bleeding or bleeding that is lighter than a period. This happens in < 1 in 20 cases. If this happens, we can make arrangements to manage this situation.

2. You are bleeding excessively (soaking over 4 pads within 2 hours) or bleeding persists in excess of 12 days. A fever of over 38 degrees is also significant.

3. You have also been given a low sensitivity pregnancy test to use 16 days after the Mifepristone. If this is still positive please contact the surgery or My Options.

Counselling is available from the IPFA (1850 495 051) or My Options (1800 828 010).

Please also refer to the MyOptions information leaflet

Do I need to go to hospital?

• It is unlikely you will need to go hospital.

• ~ 1 in 5 women will need an ultrasound

• If you are over 9+4 weeks pregnant we will refer you to hospital for their input

• If there is a failure or a complication (< 5%) you will need to go hospital.