The
women had either used misoprostol and sought counselling or care at a public hospital (n=24) or had
used misoprostol based on the advice of a local hotline, information from the internet or from other
women (n=21). Four stages in the women’s experiences were identified: how the decision to terminate
the pregnancy was taken, how the medication was obtained, how the tablets were used, and reflections
on the outcome whether or not they sought medical advice. Safety and privacy were key in deciding to
use medical abortion. Access to the medication was the main obstacle, requiring a prescription or a friendly
drugstore. Correct information about the number of pills to use and dosage intervals was the least easy
to obtain and caused concerns. The possibility of choosing a time of privacy and having the company
of a close one was highlighted as a unique advantage of medical abortion. Efforts to improve abortion
law, policy and service provision in Argentina in order to ensure the best possible conditions for use
of medical abortion by women should be redoubled. © 2014 Reproductive Health Matters