'Safer and more comfortable': Everything you need to know about At-home abortion pills

ok.co.uk:

Women in England and Wales will now be able to have early medical abortions at home on a permanent basis. It means those under 10 weeks pregnant will be able to access both pills needed for a termination, once they have had a consultation.The measure was originally brought in to ease pressure on NHS services during the Covid outbreak. “This is one of the positives to have come out of the pandemic, allowing improved access for women to a vital part of reproductive healthcare,” says Dr Charlotte Cassis, a consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Before March 2020 women had to have the first tablet in a clinic or hospital, and then only the second tablet could be taken at home.

But with the reduced access to clinics during the Covid outbreak, terminations of up to 10 weeks’ gestation could be performed with both tablets being taken at home, after a phone consultation with a health professional.This system was due to end this month - but has instead been made permanent this week. "Over 100,000 women in England have early medical abortions a year, with medical abortions making up 65% of all abortions," says Dr Cassis. "Making terminations more accessible makes them safer and more comfortable for women." How does the pill work? “The process of early medical abortion involves taking a tablet (mifepristone) followed by a second tablet (misoprostol) which can be administered either vaginally or orally, usually 48 hrs later. "The combination of the two drugs causes the womb -or uterus - to contract to expel the pregnancy in a process similar to that of a natural miscarriage,” explains Dr Cassis.

It does not need surgery or an anaesthetic. Aren’t women safer if under medical supervision? “There is no medical reason why women need.