Understanding How the Process Works and What to Expect
At Women for Women Kenya, we believe every woman deserves access to safe, accurate information about her reproductive choices.
Whether you’re ending an early pregnancy or a twin pregnancy, understanding how abortion works helps you make informed decisions and prepare for what to expect physically and emotionally.
🌸 Abortion in Early Pregnancy (Up to 12 Weeks)
Most abortions in Kenya are done in the first trimester — that is, within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
At this stage, the pregnancy tissue is small, and the procedure is both safe and highly effective when done correctly.
There are two main options:
1️⃣ Medical Abortion (Abortion Pills)
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Involves two medicines: mifepristone and misoprostol.
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Works by stopping pregnancy hormones and then causing the uterus to expel the pregnancy tissue.
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Can be done at home under professional guidance.
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Bleeding and cramping usually start within a few hours after taking misoprostol.
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Most women pass the pregnancy within 4–6 hours.
2️⃣ Surgical Abortion (Manual Vacuum Aspiration — MVA)
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Usually done in a clinic by a trained provider.
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The pregnancy tissue is gently removed from the uterus using suction.
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It’s a quick, safe, and effective procedure for those who prefer not to use pills or who need immediate completion.
👶 Abortion in Twin Pregnancy
A twin pregnancy means there are two embryos or fetuses growing at the same time.
When ending a twin pregnancy, the same abortion methods can be used — medical or surgical — but there are a few key differences to understand:
✅ What to Expect:
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Heavier bleeding: Because there is more tissue to expel, bleeding and cramping may be slightly heavier or last longer.
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Higher hormone levels: You may feel stronger pregnancy symptoms (like nausea or breast tenderness) before and even shortly after abortion.
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Longer recovery: The uterus takes a little more time to return to its normal size.
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Follow-up is essential: An ultrasound after 1–2 weeks helps confirm that the uterus is completely empty.
🧠 Important:
The abortion pills are still effective for twin pregnancies — though in some cases, your provider may recommend an extra dose of misoprostol to ensure complete evacuation.
⚠️ When to Seek Medical Help
After an abortion (single or twin), seek professional care if you experience:
- Very heavy bleeding (soaking two or more pads per hour for over two hours).
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain not relieved by medication.
- Fever, foul-smelling discharge, or dizziness.
- No bleeding at all after taking misoprostol — as this may suggest the abortion didn’t start or the pregnancy is ectopic.
💕 Post-Abortion Care
- Rest for at least a day or two.
- Avoid sex or inserting anything into the vagina until bleeding stops.
- Take prescribed pain relief and antibiotics if given.
- Eat nutritious foods and stay hydrated.
- Do a follow-up ultrasound or checkup within two weeks to confirm completion.
🌷 Our Commitment to You
At Women for Women Kenya, we offer:
- Confidential and respectful abortion consultations.
- Medical and surgical abortion services.
- Ultrasound follow-ups to confirm completion.
- Post-abortion care and emotional support.
Our goal is to ensure your safety, dignity, and full recovery — whether you had a single or twin pregnancy.
📞 0700 811 528
📧 kenyawomenforwomen@gmail.com
🌐 www.womenforwomenkenya.com
📍 Nairobi, Kenya
