If you’re considering the abortion pill, you will want to understand how it works and whether it’s an option. We cover what is the abortion pill, options, risks, and more in this blog. Get the facts you need to protect your health along your decision-making process. We’re here for you.
What is the Abortion Pill?
Also called medical abortion, the abortion pill involves two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
First, mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary for the pregnancy’s growth. Without this hormone, the uterine lining will thin, and the pregnancy will end.
Next, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expels the pregnancy and related tissue from the body. Potential side effects include abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Along with other side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
Common risks involved after taking the abortion pills include the following:
- The body not releasing all pregnancy tissue in the uterus also called an incomplete abortion. This may require surgical abortion.
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach.
Is the Abortion Pill an Option?
For safety reasons, the FDA approved a regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol to end an intrauterine pregnancy only through 10 weeks gestation. Protect your health with a lab-quality pregnancy test and an ultrasound.
An ultrasound can help clarify if the abortion pill is an option in your pregnancy. An ultrasound can confirm gestational age (how far along you are), an intrauterine pregnancy (if it’s located within the uterus), and viability (if it is living and growing).
If you have complications, such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, it’s important to seek immediate medical care.
You may NOT be eligible for the abortion pill if any of the following applies to you:
- Are more than 10 weeks into your pregnancy
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
- Have a suspected ectopic pregnancy
- Have certain medical conditions. These include bleeding disorders, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, severe liver, kidney, or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care
- Have an allergy to the drugs used
Learn More Today
Be empowered with medically accurate facts to make an informed decision.
Schedule a no-cost appointment today. Our professional medical team is here to walk alongside you in this process. You are not alone.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.