If you are thinking about taking the abortion pill, you are asking the right question in the right place. We will share risks like an incomplete abortion or infection, along with a list of your other options.
Using the abortion pill method to end a pregnancy has definite physical and emotional risks to consider first. Before starting the process, learn as much as possible about the drugs, side effects, and potential risks.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill method is also known as a medication abortion because you take two drugs to terminate a pregnancy. For a pregnancy to develop, it must have progesterone. The first abortion pill drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone so the pregnancy ends. The second drug, misoprostol, causes contractions to expel the pregnancy from the body through the vaginal.
The whole process can take a few days, but bleeding can go on for several weeks. It’s essential to recognize how much bleeding is too much and how to recognize severe cramping that requires a visit to the emergency room.
What Side Effects Can I Expect?
The Mayo Clinic lists the potential side effects you might experience:
- Abdominal Cramping
- Vaginal Bleeding
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Are There Risks?
You should not use the abortion pill method for the following reasons:
- You are too far along in your pregnancy. The FDA has only approved the use of the abortion pill method through 10 weeks (70 days after the first day of your last menstrual period). The drugs are less effective the farther along you are.
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place.
- The location of your pregnancy is wrong (Also known as an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening).
- You have certain medical conditions, including bleeding disorders, heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease, or uncontrolled seizures.
- You take a blood thinner or specific steroid medicines.
- You are allergic to the drugs used. Or take one of these drugs.
- You can’t make follow-up visits to your provider to check for an incomplete abortion or infection.
- You don’t have access to emergency care in case the bleeding or cramping becomes too severe.
Would You Like to Talk About Other Options Besides Abortion?
The Center for Women does not provide or refer for abortion, but we do offer factual information in a non-judgmental environment. We can also provide referrals and resources for your other pregnancy options.
We encourage you to look at every option before you decide. Schedule a free pregnancy test at the center. If it’s positive, we’ll provide a free limited ultrasound. An ultrasound gives you information like how far along you are in your pregnancy, the pregnancy’s location, and if it’s viable (growing with a detectable heartbeat).
Experts say over 25% of pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. Before you use abortion pills, you need to verify you are still pregnant. We can help you!
You can contact us online to schedule an appointment or call us at 828-885-7885. We’re here for you.