Making quick decisions during a time of crisis is never good. When women discover they’re unexpectedly pregnant, they assume the easiest solution is the abortion pill. You need to know that you can have an incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding, or an infection with the abortion pill method. Learn the facts before scheduling your abortion.
How Does the Abortion Pill Method Work?
The abortion pill method, also known as medical abortion, uses drugs to terminate and expel a pregnancy. Abortion providers use various regimens, but usually, they prescribe two drugs.
All pregnancies need progesterone to survive and grow. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone from reaching the uterus and terminates the pregnancy. Misoprostol is the second drug used to start contractions to expel the pregnancy from the body.
The FDA has approved using these drugs for abortion only through 10 weeks of pregnancy. It’s vital to know how far along you are.
What are the Side Effects?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following are the side effects of using the abortion pill (medication) method:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
What Are the Risks?
The Mayo Clinic also lists the following as potential risks:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
In addition, they say medical abortion isn’t an option if you:
- Are too far along in your pregnancy
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus
- Have certain medical conditions
- Take a blood thinner
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have emergency care
- Have an allergy to the medicine used
What Should I Do?
We’re glad you’re taking the time to learn about the side effects and possible risks of using the abortion pill. We suggest your first step is to verify your pregnancy and find out how far along you are. How do you do that? With ultrasound.
An ultrasound reveals the length of your pregnancy, if it’s growing, and where it’s located. Come to The Open Door for free and confidential pregnancy testing for confirmation. We’ll schedule you for a free, confidential ultrasound if your test is positive.
We’re available 24 hours a day, so don’t hesitate to reach out. If you need immediate help, call our after-hours helpline at 800-712-4357 or text “HELPLINE” to 313131. Let us provide you with the facts before you move forward.