There isn't one single injection to end a pregnancy. The method used depends on several factors, including the stage of pregnancy and the individual's circumstances. Several medications are used via injection in different abortion procedures.
Methods Involving Injections
- Methotrexate: This medication is used to treat ectopic pregnancies (pregnancies outside the uterus). It's administered via injection and works by stopping the growth of the pregnancy. [Source: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_pregnancy_ectopic_methotrexate_inst] It's also sometimes used in early medical abortions. [Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9494770/]
- Injections to Stop Fetal Heartbeat: In later-term abortions, a medicine that stops the fetal heartbeat may be injected directly into the fluid surrounding the pregnancy or into the fetal heart itself. [Source: Provided reference text] This process requires a thin needle inserted through the abdomen.
Other Methods (Not Injections)
It's important to note that other methods exist for ending a pregnancy that do not involve injections, including medication abortion using pills (like mifepristone and misoprostol) [Source: https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-020-01003-8], and surgical abortion procedures. [Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325582]
The choice of method will be made in consultation with a healthcare professional. It is crucial to seek medical advice for safe and appropriate pregnancy termination options.
