Discovering an unplanned pregnancy can lead you to explore various options. Medical abortion, also known as the “abortion pill,”  is an option during the early stages of pregnancy.

Before proceeding, you should arm yourself with comprehensive knowledge to protect your health and well-being. Understanding the procedure and its potential risks is crucial in making an informed decision about your physical and emotional health.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion, or the abortion pill, actually involves two drugs used to terminate a pregnancy. You should know that while it sounds like simply taking pills, it is a serious medical procedure.

Mifepristone is taken first to block the hormone progesterone. 24-48 hours later, misoprostol is used to cause contractions and expel the pregnancy and its related tissue out of the vagina. You will likely experience vaginal bleeding and cramping after using these drugs.

There are other side effects that you may experience during a medical abortion, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Headache

Am I Eligible?

The FDA approves medical abortion through 10 weeks of gestation (how far along you are.) But more than that, there are various times when you would not be eligible for the abortion pill. For instance, if you:

• Are too far along in your pregnancy. You shouldn’t attempt a medical abortion if you’ve been pregnant for more than ten weeks (after the start of your last period).
• Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
• Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and requires immediate medical attention.
• 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 medicine used.

You must get the full scope of your health status before seeking an abortion.

The Risks Of Medical Abortion

Medical abortions are usually performed at home, which makes it even more important to know the risks associated with it. These include:

• Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

Protect Your Health

You can schedule a visit to Life Options Clinic for free and confidential pregnancy testing and an ultrasound. This will give you key information, such as the gestational age, location, and viability of your pregnancy, that will unlock your options.

We’re here to equip you with all the facts, enabling you to decide with confidence.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.