Every Monday EFC busts myths and takes names, cutting through the misinformation, disinformation, and straight up nonsense to bring you the facts
Early medical abortion (EMA) is an abortion method available to women who are under 9 weeks pregnant. This method is also known as “the abortion pill”, but this is not a very accurate description, as it does not involve simply taking a pill. During an early medical abortion, two different drugs are used to cause an early miscarriage. The first pill works by blocking the action of the hormone that makes the lining of the uterus (womb) hold onto the fertilised egg. The other, given 24 - 48 hours later, causes the uterus to cramp. The lining of the uterus breaks down and the embryo is lost in the bleeding that follows, as happens with a miscarriage.
An EMA normally requires that the woman visit the clinic three times - once to arrange for the abortion, once to take the first medication and finally to take the second medication. She may also be asked to make a follow up visit.
Some women choose this method because it can be done as early as 5 weeks into pregnancy and is non-invasive, but others dislike that it is a more drawn out process than an early surgical abortion (or vacuum aspiration).
It is not helpful to call EMA the 'abortion pill' as it does not adequately describe the process involved and can lead to people confusing it with emergency hormonal contraception (a.k.a. the “morning-after pill”). There is more on abortion methods on the EFC website.
Where can I get the EMA pill?
ReplyDeleteThis depends on where you live. EMA is available in Great Britain through the NHS, free of charge - you would just need to speak to your GP, an abortion provider like bpas, or a sexual health clinic. In other countries the situation is different. Women on Web provides EMA to those in countries where abortion is illegal: https://www.womenonweb.org/
ReplyDeleteI am here in the Philippines and abortion is illegal. Can I have the EMA Pill for free? How can i get it? where can i contact this people? I am 4weeks pregnant
DeleteYou could try contacting the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines for more information:
Delete50 Dona Magdalena Hemady Street
New Manila
Quezon City
Philippines
PO Box 1279
Manila Central Post Office
Manila
1052
Philippines
where do we get EMA pill in karnataka state?????
ReplyDeleteWe are a UK based organisation, but the Family Planning Association of India might be able to provide more information:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fpaindia.org/contact_us.html?val=cont
I got my gf pregnant... and we live in the united states... in idaho to be more specific... how do I get the EMA pill for her
DeleteWould suggest talking to Planned Parenthood: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-washington-north-idaho
DeleteI live in south africa, is it even possible to get the pill here, and if so, how and where?
ReplyDeleteAm 4wks pregnant based in Zimbabwe where do l get the pill from?
ReplyDeleteAbortion is legal up to 13 weeks in South Africa. Contact your local family planning/sexual health clinic for information.
ReplyDeleteIn Zimbabwe the law on abortion is very restrictive. Contact the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council for more information http://www.znfpc.org.zw/
In malaysia where can i have the ema pill im 1 wk pregnant?
ReplyDeleteThere is more information on this website:
Deletehttp://www.rraam.org/questions/where-to-go/
You can call this number: 6018 390 5198 (9am-5pm)