Women in Austria can have a termination of pregnancy up to 63 days after the start of their last menstrual period without further ado.
How does a medical termination of pregnancy work?
A medical abortion requires the use of special medication. Under Austrian law, this method is permitted to enable a voluntary termination of pregnancy before the ninth week of pregnancy.
Ultrasound examination
An ultrasound scan is important to determine the exact week of pregnancy and need to be carried out before counselling. However, if you bring a current ultrasound image from your gynaecologist, there is no need for another ultrasound examination.
Mifegyne®, Cytotec®/Cyprostol®
Mifegyne® causes the corpus luteum hormone (progesterone) to lose its effect. Similar to a premature spontaneous abortion, taking the medication terminates the pregnancy. In order to achieve a safe effect, another hormone, prostaglandin, must be administered two days later, which causes the amniotic sac to rupture.
Approximately 98% of pregnancies are terminated by the administration of Mifegyne® and a prostaglandin (Cytotec®/Cyprostol®) two days later.
There is a possibility that pain in the lower abdomen may occur after taking the prostaglandin, which may require the administration of painkillers. If you decide to take the tablets at home, it is advisable to have painkillers at hand.
This method is available in almost all Western European countries up to the ninth week of pregnancy (the time is defined from the first day of the last menstrual period).
Termination of pregnancy with Mifegyne® is a process that takes a few days.
You retain control over your body.
You will experience it consciously.
