Acceptability of home use of mifepristone for medical abortion.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Most medical abortion protocols require women to take mifepristone in the doctor's office. We assessed the acceptability of home use of mifepristone among women and their providers. STUDY DESIGN: In this multicenter trial, eligible women requesting termination of early pregnancy (n=301) chose whether to take mifepristone in the office or at home. Data on safety, efficacy, acceptability and disability were collected. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine women (46%) chose to take mifepristone at home, and 162 (54%) chose office administration. Ninety-five percent of home users said that they would take the mifepristone in the same place in the future. Home users were not more likely to call the doctor's office or make an unplanned visit, and providers would recommend home use again for 95% of patients who chose home use. CONCLUSIONS: Home administration of mifepristone was safe and acceptable to women and providers in our study. Women should be offered this choice to allow more flexibility, comfort and privacy in their abortion experiences.