Deciding to take the abortion pill is a significant medical choice that involves more than just taking a couple of pills—it’s a serious procedure that comes with its own set of risks and considerations.
Understanding these risks is crucial to making an informed decision about your health and well-being. We’ll explore what you need to know about the abortion pill, helping you navigate your decision with the information necessary to make the best choice for your circumstances.
The Abortion Pill
The abortion pill, also known as a medical abortion, consists of two drugs used to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. The drugs are FDA-approved through ten weeks gestation (how far along you are).
Mifepristone is the first pill taken to block the hormone progesterone. 24-48 hours later, you would follow up with misoprostol to cause uterine contractions and expel the pregnancy from the uterus.
Side Effects
The abortion drugs cause vaginal bleeding and cramping in the stomach area. They also may cause:
- Upset stomach.
- Vomiting.
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Diarrhea.
- Headache.
It’s important to note that many women have reported the pain more severe than they expected.
The Risks
As with any medical procedure, there are risks to the abortion pill that you’ll want to be aware of before deciding. These include:
- The body not releasing all pregnancy tissue in the uterus, also called an incomplete abortion. This may require surgical treatment.
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach.
Get Fully Informed
These are only some of the things you should know before considering the abortion pill. For instance, there are key details about your pregnancy you’ll need to know before deciding.
HOPE Pregnancy Center provides a safe and confidential space for you to get free pregnancy services. This includes pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy and get you critical details to unlock your options.
Contact us to make a free appointment today.
*All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.