DIY Abortion: 13 Best Home Remedies to Terminate Pregnancy

Found out that you are pregnant? Instead of being happy, are you feeling disappointed and nervous? You are not alone! Many women go through the same emotions when they are under-prepared for a baby, either physically or psychologically. Whether it is for a lucrative career or ill health or any other reason, home remedies for abortion can give you a way out of unwanted pregnancy.

If you are willing to take that route, this article serves as an extensive guide to better prepare for it. You may opt between the two types of Abortion methods – medical and surgical procedures, or self-abortion using home remedies. Let us learn in-depth about natural remedies for abortion potential benefits, risks, and side effects. and also, get an understanding of home remedies for abortion post-recovery tips and signs.

What is Abortion:

Abortion is a deliberate attempt to expel the fetus or embryo before it takes birth as a live child. The other names for abortion are termination and feticide.

(Abortion Vs Miscarriage):

In human beings, the whole gestation period is about 39 weeks, during which the first 8 weeks is the embryo stage, and the rest is the fetal stage. Certain women may have a natural abortion, called “miscarriage” when the embryo or fetus gets expelled naturally. The actual term of abortion is applicable only when it is externally induced by specific methods, to terminate pregnancy voluntarily. This can be done before the stage of viability, which is 20 weeks or fetal weight <500 gms

Talking of abortion, we also need to understand the terms – Complete abortion and Missed abortion.

• A Complete abortion occurs when the fetus totally comes out of the womb and is referred to as a successful case.
• In Missed abortion, the entire fetus or parts of it remain inside the womb, giving rise to infections. In this case, surgical intervention is a must!

History of Abortion:

If you thought abortion is a modern-day concept, you are so wrong! The earliest known cases of voluntary abortion also called induced abortion, were recorded during the Egyptian era. Harsh non-surgical practices like strenuous labour, pouring hot water on the abdomen, etc., were employed, which resulted in the untimely deaths of the women. However, with observation and the advancement of medical knowledge, these barbaric practices gave way to proven scientific methods.

In fact, many historians opine that abortion during the 1920s was a lethal procedure compared to the actual birth process itself. It was only after this period that the concept of safe abortion was coined. Instead of the women attempting dangerous practices like stabbing, sitting on a boiling pot of water, etc., abortions were performed under trained midwives’ supervision. In the 1970s, medical abortion was first used in the United States, in which medicinal pills were used to abort the pregnancy.

Today, a wide variety of abortion procedures are made available to us, which are adopted based on the mother or baby’s trimester and health condition.

Is Abortion Right?

Putting aside the legal vs illegal aspects of abortion, many people opine that this practice involves a forceful termination of a precious human life and its future. That doesn’t mean abortions should be completely banned, as they can be justified only in certain situations when there is a danger to a mother’s life or potential risk to the baby. Any other reason, personal, financial or professional, is considered to be immoral and victimization of an innocent human being.

As they say “Prevention is better than cure”, an abortion is best prevented to safeguard your life and also save you from moral guilt. You can choose a safe contraceptive option like pills, condoms, etc., to lower the risk of unwanted pregnancies.

Different Types of Abortion:

As discussed earlier, various abortion procedures are available within 20 weeks of pregnancy in India, which fall under these three categories:

• Safe-Abortion: It is performed by midwives, trained health professionals and proven medical methods.
• Less-Safe Abortion: Although performed using safe methods like pills, it is done without proper supervision and knowledge.
• Least-Safe Abortion: It involves life-threatening procedures like invasive abortion surgery using non-recognized methods.

Now that you have understood the classification of abortion, let us look into some of the Safe Abortion names and procedures conducted in India, along with details on the stage of pregnancy and cost:

1. Early Non-Surgical Abortion:

After confirmation of pregnancy through a preliminary home test or scan, you can opt for an early non-invasive method. A chemical abortion drug will be administered, resulting in pelvic pain, cramps, and bleeding to eliminate the unborn fetus in a few hours.

• When Is It Possible? 2-10 Weeks of Pregnancy
• Time To Perform: Results can be within a day
• Approx.Cost: INR 500-1000

2. Vacuum Aspiration:

In this procedure, a local anaesthetic is injected near the cervix area and a tube is inserted. The placenta is then sucked out with an abortion vacuum machine and the entire uterus is cleaned up to remove any traces.

• When Is It Possible? 2-12 Weeks of Pregnancy
• Time to Perform: 5-10 Minutes
• Approx.Cost: INR 2000-3000

3. Dilation and Evacuation:

The method is performed under general anaesthesia, after which the cervix is gently opened. Using abortion by suction and forceps, the fetus and placenta are removed from the uterus, which also involves mutilating the child’s body.

• When Is It Possible? 13-21 Weeks of Pregnancy
• Time to Perform: 30 Minutes
• Approx.Cost: INR 2000-30,000

4. Labor Induction:

In this method, the mother is admitted to the hospital and given a drug to induce early labour. The contractions develop in about 2-4 hours to push out the fetus. However, this needs to be followed by an abortion operation to remove any traces of the placenta.

• When Is It Possible? 16-21 Weeks of Pregnancy
• Time to Perform: Involves 2-3 days of stay in the hospital and may take a few hours to perform.
• Approx.Cost: INR 5000-30,000

Once you cross the second trimester, getting an abortion can be difficult and dangerous for your body. Only in extremely unavoidable cases, a C-section is performed to expel the baby. You must note that the above methods of abortion and their types are performed under strict guidance and supervision of a doctor or trained health care professional.

What Is the Average Rate of Abortion In The World:

It is complicated to comment on the abortion rates across countries globally, as many nations in which abortions are illegal, do not document their numbers. According to the World Abortion Policies Reports of the UN, the abortion rate was measured by taking the number of abortions conducted on 1000 women, between 15-44 years of age group. This figure may be exclusive of Spontaneous abortions, which happen without any intervention and are called miscarriages in normal terms.

Quick Abortion Facts:

• A study revealed that Russia has the highest abortion rate, with 37.4 women terminating their pregnancies out of 1000 women. Cuba followed this nation with 28.9 and Kazakhstan with 27.4.
• It’s even more shocking in India as an alarming figure of about 15.6 million abortions per year was said to have been reported by 2018. This number is way higher than the numbers in the U.S, which have significantly gone down from 1.4 million reported in 1990. Also, it is estimated that an average of 13 deaths happen due to abortion per day, due to unsafe and unhygienic practices.

Is Abortion Legal In India:

Until 1970, it was considered criminal to either support or try abortion and involved harsh punishments of up to 7 years of imprisonment and heavy fines. But, the question – Should abortion be legal in at least admissible cases gave rise to the Abortion Law In India in 1971?

India is one of the many countries where abortion is legal, in certain circumstances. As per the abortion guidelines, a woman can choose to end her pregnancy before 20 weeks, when abortion is legal, using various procedures like pills or recommended methods by the WHO. After the period of 20 weeks, that is after the second trimester. Court permission is required to conduct an abortion, stating valid reasons.

Main Causes of Abortion:

There are many reasons why Indian women undergo either a self-induced abortion or a medical one, contributing to one of the world’s highest infanticide rates. A majority of them are selective sex abortions, after disclosure of the sex of the fetus through scanning, despite stringent rules being passed against this process.

Other challenges could be

• financial problems
• lack of support at home
• forced sex
• teen pregnancies
• sex before marriage
• career challenges
• societal pressures
• unwillingness to take on additional responsibilities.

Abortion Drugs In Alternative Medicines:

The abortion pills available in the market are from Allopathy or English medicine, which use two different types of drugs – mifepristone and misoprostol. These are sold under various brand names., Alternate medicines like Homeopathy and Ayurveda also have different solutions for induced abortion.

Read: Unwanted 72

There are no over-the-counter Homeopathic remedies for abortion, as these are prescribed based on the woman’s health, age, and current condition. Abortion by Ayurveda is also possible through a set of herbal blends that terminate pregnancy in the early stages. You can even check with the doctors to know about special herbal medicines for abortion.

13 Safe Home Remedies for Abortion in Early Weeks:

If you are interested in learning about what are the natural abortion methods to perform at home, we have put together 10 risk-free home remedies to cause abortion during 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy. Here are the details: (1 & 2)

Are Home Remedies Effective in Abortion?

Non-surgical methods are natural ways of abortion when there is limited access to hospitals or health care units. Most of the home remedies to abort pregnancy are not backed with any scientific evidence and are merely based on certain individuals’ personal experiences. These remedies use herbs and natural ingredients which have the efficacy to trigger an abortion. However, their safety and effectiveness remain largely under debate, as some of the herbal methods have life-threatening risks.

Here are the potential hazards of using home remedies for abortion:

• Heavy bleeding is caused due to incomplete or missed abortion.
• Infections, if any external tools are inserted
• Toxicity due to overdosage of herbal concoctions
• Contamination of ingredients

In short, natural abortion methods are not free from dangers. Therefore, it is recommended to seek the doctor’s advice unless you do not have medical facilities at the place where you live.

Do Doctors Support Home Abortions?

We have studied real conversations between certified doctors and their patients to determine if the medical institutions really support home remedies for abortion. Here is what we could infer:

-> Women with a pregnancy of 8 weeks asked a few gynaecologists if they can follow any safe home remedy to abort the fetus. They are worried about approaching a clinic due to societal pressures and fear of disclosure. This is the common response from most doctors:

Abortions using home remedies are not only ineffective but also dangerous. Lack of proper knowledge can threaten a woman’s health and lead to unwanted complications. Medical abortions are safe, legal and result-oriented.

-> Some other women approached a few doctors with questions on the efficacy of raw papaya and cinnamon for pregnancy. They believe that these methods are natural and so, have minimal risks. But, doctors say otherwise!

Remedies like Papaya and Cinnamon are highly prone to failure and work only in 1-2 cases. The only way to ensure a successful pregnancy is to approach a doctor and seek their advice on the abortion process.

-> A few patients tested positive for pregnancy using a home pregnancy kit. They asked the doctors if this test is enough to proceed with an abortion. If yes, what is the right way to do it?

Home Pregnancy Kit uses your urine sample to confirm a pregnancy. However, they often give misleading results like false-negative or false-positive. This means, the woman may be pregnant, but the results show otherwise or vice versa. To be on the safer side, you must get an ultrasound scan done at a doctor’s clinic to know your pregnancy status and age. Based on this, suitable procedures will be suggested by the doctor.

Here you know the natural home abortion ways to terminate unwanted pregnancy in the early weeks and months:

1. Papaya Remedy for Abortion:

Papaya is one of the most widely used home remedies for unwanted pregnancy. While both ripe and raw papaya is consumed for abortion, it is the raw one that is more potent. The unripe fruit contains a white fluid called Latex which contains high amounts of prostaglandin and oxytocin. These agents have shown abortion-inducing properties, which reduce when the fruit gets ripened. No wonder why pregnant women are advised to stay away from it until childbirth.

2. Pineapple for Abortion:

Pineapple is one of the good home remedies for abortion. As per studies, Pineapple contains an enzyme called Bromelain, which is known to soften the cervix for expelling the fetus out. This may work only in the early stage of pregnancy. Also, there is no proper evidence on the efficacy of pineapple fruit or juice, while certain studies showed that pineapple extract has a uterotonic activity.

3. Sesame Seeds for Abortion:

Sesame seeds are considered to be one of the safest Indian home remedies for abortion. They are soaked overnight and consumed along with honey for fast results. Although there is no sufficient evidence of their effectiveness, it is believed that a certain dose of sesame seeds can increase body heat to stimulate contractions. Unlike the other home remedies, this ingredient is largely free from side effects, unless it is taken in exceptionally high amounts.

4. Parsley for Abortion:

Parsley is considered to be the best home remedy for abortion. Many people believe that Parsley tea is a herbal abortion method, which can trigger contractions and eliminate the fetus when taken in some doses. Certain studies showed that the herb did contribute to abortion, but also showed many toxic effects due to its volatile oils. Cases were also reported worldwide where women lost their lives after attempting to use Parsley for this purpose. It is also dangerous to put Parsley leaves in your vaginal area to stimulate uterine spasms.

5. Vitamin C for Abortion:

We all know that Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and immune booster. As per a Russian journal of 1970, this nutrient’s abortifacient side was revealed after a thorough study. It is known that taking high amounts of Vitamin C supplements led to a sudden pump of oestrogen levels in the body, leading to a miscarriage.

6. Acacia Pods for Abortion:

Acacia is a type of flowering plant and its pods are a natural treatment for abortion. While there is no strong published evidence on the way it works, many people use a blend of acacia pods with banana shoots for faster results. Both the ingredients are sun-dried in equal quantities and powdered. This blend must be mixed with sugar and consumed many times until the bleeding starts. Again, there is no guarantee of the safety and effectiveness of this remedy.

7. Chamomile for Abortion:

Along with calming your body and mind, Chamomile tea is one of the safe, natural remedies for abortion. This herbal remedy for abortion contains thujone, which can induce early contractions when taken in large amounts. So, you must consume at least 3 cups a day to see the effect.

8. Cotton Root Bark for Abortion:

The cotton root bark is obtained from the cotton plant’s roots and is used for easing menstrual cramps and increasing uterine contractions during childbirth. It is also considered to be one of the less toxic abortifacient herbs which can induce miscarriages in pregnant women. The ingredient is either used in the form of tea or tincture in recommended doses to end a pregnancy.

It is known to stimulate early contractions and induce abortions in pregnant women.

9. Cinnamon for Abortion:

Cinnamon is one of the effective home remedies for unwanted pregnancy. In many parts of the world, women take strong cinnamon tea to induce early labour. The results are attributed to the powerful agents present in this spice. However, you must strictly stay away from Cassia Cinnamon, which is the more toxic variety, due to the presence of high amounts of Coumarin.

10. Goji Berries for Abortion:

As to the Chinese, Goji berries are believed to be one of the most potent self-abortion remedies. These berries contain high amounts of Betaine and other compounds which can lead to miscarriages. You also need to know about these fruits because of their harmful effects on your overall health and kidneys. It is important to consult a trained expert on the safe dosage of these berries to avoid unwanted health complications.

11. Hot Bath for Abortion:

Besides helping you relax, a hot water bath is the best home remedy to cause abortion. As per a study, women who used a hot tub during the first trimester had more likelihood of abortion. The idea is to increase the overall temperature, instead of just the abdominal region for better results. However, care must be taken not to go beyond 101 degrees F or 38 degrees Celsius temperature and not spend more than 10 minutes in the water.

12. Homemade Foods for Abortion:

Apart from the remedies mentioned above, consuming certain foods may give you a self-induced abortion. However, there is no empirical proof of how these foods work and their success and safety rate. So, it is better to check with a doctor before trying them at home:

• Sea Food: It is believed that consuming high amounts of Crabs, fish, prawns, etc., during pregnancy can shrink the uterus and cause bleeding due to abortion.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera contains anthraquinones, which are known to induce preterm contractions. Eating high amounts of this gel may give you a miscarriage.
• Caffeine Drinks: While a cup or two of coffee is largely risk-free, having an excess of caffeine-based drinks can dehydrate the body and lead to fluid loss. This, in turn, affects your pregnancy and can cause a natural abortion. While it is good for you in a way, the side effects of caffeine overdosage are unimaginable.
• Spices: Spices like peppermint, fenugreek, etc., can stimulate uterine contractions in early pregnancy. They can also cause severe bleeding due to the dilation of blood. This happens only when they take it in large doses.
• Acidic Fruits: Certain fruits like wild apples and citrus fruits are extremely sour due to their high acidic content. Consuming them beyond the recommended dosage can trigger a miscarriage, along with causing many other gastrointestinal issues.

13. Home Exercises for Abortion:

Although exercises are recommended during pregnancy, there are certain poses that can cause natural abortion in women. Here are some of them:

• Weight Lifting: Lifting heavy weights can strain your skeletal system and stunt fetal growth, which can lead to a self-miscarriage.
• Lying on Back: When you sleep on your back, the fetus’s blood supply gets decreased and slowly end your pregnancy. However, it may take a few days for the results to show that you might experience dizziness in the process.
• Yoga: There are certain poses in Yoga which can terminate your pregnancy. Asanas that involve jumping, twisting, compressing of organs, extreme stretching and inversion of the body can cause extreme stress to the lower half of your body. Along with that, they lead to a supply of deoxygenated blood to the uterus can lead to abortion.

There are also other exercises like situps, crunches, etc., which many women use to get rid of unwanted pregnancies. However, it is not known whether these poses can give you a complete abortion. If they fail, then there is a high likelihood that you may give birth to a defective or crippled baby. So, don’t perform them unless guided by a trained expert.

NOTE: These home remedies for unwanted pregnancy may work only in the early stages (1-12 weeks). You can try them for a week or so and if they do not work, it is not worth taking the risk. Immediately check with your doctor on medical abortion procedures. Also, if you suspect a missed or incomplete abortion, don’t neglect and clearly tell your doctor about it.

Abortion at Home Complications: Signs, Effects & Recovery Tips-

1. After Abortion Signs:

How do you know that you have had a miscarriage? Are there any symptoms to watch out for? What is normal and what is not? Read on to know about them:

Whether it is a natural miscarriage or a self-induced abortion, you will likely experience these commonly found changes in your body.

• Medium To Heavy Bleeding, along with slight to severe spotting.
• Severe Cramping in the lower abdominal region, which can go all the way to the buttocks and vaginal area.
• Fatigue and extreme weakness.
• Tenderness in the breasts.
• Shooting pain in your back.

And in extreme cases, you might also experience:

• Uncontrollable vomiting or nausea.
• High Body Temperature.
• Burning sensation in the urinary bladder.
• Heavy Blood loss leads to haemorrhage.

In both cases, you must immediately contact a doctor and seek proper medical attention on time.

2. Effects of Home Abortion:

As per studies, induced abortion, when performed under strict medical supervision is not likely to cause any serious, long-term health effects(1). However, in certain cases, a woman might have an increased risk of these issues in the future:

• Mood Swings, Depression.
• Pre-term labour in subsequent pregnancies.
• Delayed Childbearing.
• Infertility.
• Higher chances of getting Breast Cancer (there is no concrete proof to this statement, and the linkage of elected abortion and cancer was observed in just a few cases).
• Deaths, in cases where abortion is performed under dangerous circumstances, half-knowledge or using unproven practices.

3. How To Recover After Abortion:

Abortion is a traumatic process that can take a severe toll on your body and mind. It is important to give yourself some time to come out of this episode and restore normalcy in your life. These tips can clear all your confusion regarding the dos and don’ts after abortion:

• Rest is very important. Be sure to respect your situation and allow your body to recoup. Take a break from work or anything that can lead to stress.
• Strictly avoid strenuous, intense workouts for at least two weeks post-abortion. If you want to exercise, take up lighter forms like meditation, pranayama, etc.,
• It is recommended to stay away from sexual intercourse for at least two weeks, as your genitals may still be tender and it might lead to a painful experience. Also, the risk of contracting infections also goes higher during this time.
• Avoid going out for a week or two, until the bleeding subsides. You might experience a sudden gush of blood, which can lead to embarrassment and also fainting. Keep your pads ready and don’t use tampons to prevent the risk the infections.
• Eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Also, ask your doctor if you need iron supplements to cope with the blood loss.
• A regular doctor checkup is a must, even if you start feeling fine.
• Most important of all is getting some support at home to cope with hormone-related anxiety and emotional stress.

1. Will Abortion Home Remedies Affect my Future Pregnancy and Periods?

If you had an abortion before, there are fewer chances of impact on future pregnancies. This, however, may vary from case to case and in rare cases, you might have a challenging second pregnancy. After an abortion, the period cycles may go haphazard and it takes a few months to get regularized. If you face any of the problems with bleeding or irregular periods, do consult a doctor.

2. Is Aspirin for Abortion a Safe Method and Does it work?

Aspirin is a drugstore analgesic that is used to treat body pains and inflammation. Many people claim that Aspirin can also work for terminating a pregnancy by using a few doses per day. This, however, lacks any valid evidence and is not recommended by any means. A study also shows that taking Aspirin 26 hours before the elective abortion procedure can lead to prolonged bleeding time and significant dangers.

3. Does Acupuncture for Abortion Really Work?

Acupuncture is traditional Chinese medicine, which uses needles to stimulate organs. It is told that inserting needles in certain “forbidden” points can induce abortion and miscarriage in a woman. As per this theory, stimulation of Li-4, Sp-6, and Pericardium-6 with bladder 60 can increase a medically induced abortion’s success rate.

4. Can Sex During Pregnancy Lead to Abortion?

There are many doubts about the role of sex in a miscarriage. Many people believe that having sex in the very early stages of pregnancy can cause abortion. However, the chances of this are very rare. Other issues cause most miscarriages. But, in women with Placenta Previa or low-lying Placenta, it is best to avoid sex until the second trimester.

5. What is the Legal age for Abortion in India?

As per the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 in India, abortion is permissible only within 20 weeks of pregnancy. Any attempt to terminate a pregnancy after 20 weeks is an illegal and criminal offence unless supported by a valid reason and court permission. Also, parental consent is needed for minor girls below 18 years to undergo a medical abortion.

6. What are the Abortion Limits For Woman In a Lifetime?

Women are fertile up to an average of 40 years. During this time, they can go for a safe, induced abortion of one or a maximum of twice (again, depending on the general health, circumstances and age). Going for multiple abortions may severely hamper the woman’s health and cause irreversible complications in the body.

7. Are there any Abortion Clinics in India?

As mentioned above, abortions are legal in India for up to 20 weeks. So, any certified gynaecologist working in a recognized clinic or hospital can suggest pills or procedures terminate a pregnancy. In the case of minor girls or requests after 20 weeks, they must duly report to the law and seek legal permission to avoid violating the rules.

8. In Which Countries is Abortion Banned?

As of 2019, there are twenty-six countries where abortion is illegal. They have strict anti-abortion laws that prohibit their citizens from making any attempts. These nations include El Salvador, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Vatican City.

We hope this comprehensive guide to home remedies for abortion has given you a clear insight into all the topic’s possible areas. The main intention behind this article is to bring awareness to abortion and break the myths around it. It is very important to understand these methods and consequences before you make a decision. Just remember that abortion is not a desirable practice, and it’s no good to take a “second chance”!

Read: Family Medical Insurance Plans in India

DISCLAIMER:

None of the above remedies or medicines is proven to be 100% safe and effective in inducing a successful abortion. They are also not prescribed by any doctor or medical practitioner on paper. Therefore, it is very important to fully understand each of these methods’ pros and cons before trying them at home. As mentioned above, any overdose can lead to irreversible damage to your body and avoid blind faith in them. By doing so, you are taking full responsibility for the consequences. It is always a good practice to go for medical care and intervention unless you have restricted access to it.