and fluid retention (Encarta).
             There are many different types of procedures of abortion. Within the first seven weeks of pregnancy, a combination of two drugs can be given in pill form to abort a fetus. A pregnant women first takes the drug mifeprostone, known as RU-486, which blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain the pregnancy. About 48 hours later, she takes another drug called misoprostol. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin (a hormone-like chemical produced by the body) that causes contractions of the uterus, the organ in which the fetus develops. These uterine contractions expel the fetus (Encarta).
             Misoprostol can also induce abortion when taken with methotrexate, an anticancer drug that interferes with cell division (Encarta). A physician first injects a pregnant woman with methotrexate (Encarta). About a week later, the woman takes misoprostol to induce uterine contractions and expel the fetus (Encarta). Both of these drug combinations effectively end pregnancy in 95 percent of the women who take them (Encarta). Some women experience nausea, cramping, and bleeding (Encarta). The most serious complications, such as arrhythmia, edema, and pneumonia, affect the heart and lungs and may cause death (Encarta).
             In two procedures known as preemptive abortion and early uterine evacuation, a narrow tube called a cannula is inserted through the cervix (the opening to the uterus) into the uterus (Encarta). The cannula is attached to a suction device, such as a syringe, and the contents of the uterus, including the fetus, are extracted (Encarta). Preemptive abortion uses a smaller cannula and is performed in the first four to six weeks of pregnancy; early uterine evacuation, which uses a slightly la
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