Are you considering the abortion pill? While any woman can consider this option, it may not be a safe choice for some women due to current health or situational factors.
At The Open Door, we offer free and confidential pregnancy services, including pregnancy testing and ultrasounds if you qualify. Schedule an appointment today to verify your pregnancy and discuss your options.
What Does “Eligibility” Mean?
For the purposes of this blog, eligibility refers to whether or not certain factors would make the abortion pill less safe for your situation.
Whether or not you choose to take the abortion pill based on risks, side effects, and your personal health status is up to you and your healthcare provider.
Currently, abortion is banned in Texas unless the life of the woman is at risk. However, under Texas laws, women cannot be held criminally or civilly liable. While we acknowledge these laws, we will approach this topic specifically from the health perspective.
The Nature of the Abortion Pill
The abortion pill works by using two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, causing the pregnancy to end. The second drug, misoprostol, triggers the uterus to contract, causing abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.
Due to the nature of the abortion pill, which leads to vaginal bleeding, it’s not for every woman—especially those who take blood thinners, are anemic, or have certain heart or blood vessel diseases.
Since misoprostol is usually taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone at home, this means women will begin bleeding and passing the pregnancy and tissue without medical supervision. Women who start this process should be able to access a healthcare provider by phone or online or visit an emergency room.
Factors that Could Rule Out the Abortion Pill
According to Mayo Clinic, the abortion pill is not an option for some women. These factors include:
- Being too far along in your pregnancy (The FDA has only approved the abortion pill through 10 weeks gestation.)
- Having an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
- Having a suspected pregnancy outside the uterus (an ectopic pregnancy)
- Having certain medical conditions, such as anemia, bleeding disorders, chronic adrenal failure, severe liver, kidney, or lung disease, an uncontrolled seizure disorder, or others
- Being unable to reach a healthcare professional by phone or online or lacking access to emergency care
- Having an allergy to medical abortion drugs
Additionally, if a woman has already miscarried, there wouldn’t be a reason for her to go through an abortion procedure. A healthcare provider would assess her situation and decide whether a treatment plan is necessary.
If a woman thinks she may have a sexually transmitted infection or disease, receiving testing and any necessary treatment before taking the abortion pill can reduce the chances of spreading the existing infection deeper into the reproductive system and causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Protect Your Sexual Health
Visit The Open Door to protect your health and safety with pregnancy testing, an ultrasound, and STD/STI testing.
We’re here to support you as you consider your options. Schedule an appointment at our Cisco or Breckenridge location and receive free pregnancy services today. We’re here to help.
All abortion and legal information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
Sources:
FDA, “Information about Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation” https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
Mayo Clinic, “Ectopic pregnancy”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
Mayo Clinic, “Medical abortion” https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
Mayo Clinic, “Miscarriage”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354304
Mayo Clinic, “Pelvic inflammatory disease”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
Mayo Clinic, “Ectopic pregnancy”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
Texas, “Health and Safety Code”
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.171.htm#171.063