Medical abortion, also referred to as the “abortion pill,” is a non-surgical procedure used to terminate an early pregnancy. It involves taking two powerful drugs—mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug is sometimes taken at a clinic, but the second drug will be taken at home.
If you’re thinking about seeking a medical abortion, it’s critical to learn all you can to ensure you’re eligible to take these drugs.
How Does Medical Abortion Work?
1: Mifepristone
The first drug, mifepristone, is taken to block the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for pregnancy to continue. Progesterone helps thicken the lining of the uterus, and by blocking it, mifepristone causes the lining to thin and the embryo to detach from the uterine wall. This step halts the growth of the pregnancy and eventually causes it to end.
2: Misoprostol
Twenty-four to 48 hours after taking mifepristone, the second drug, misoprostol, is taken. Misoprostol induces uterine contractions, which expel the pregnancy and related tissues from the uterus and out through the vagina.
How Will I Feel After Taking the Abortion Drugs?
After taking this drug, you will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Some women have reported that the pain was unexpectedly severe.
Furthermore, you might see the pregnancy pass through your vagina, which can be distressing for some women.
What Are the Risks of the Abortion Drugs?
The abortion drugs come with risks to your health, which include:
- Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your ut
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach
How Do I Know If I’m Eligible?
The abortion drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or under. Furthermore, certain situations make you ineligible for the abortion drugs.
The only way to know if you’re eligible for the abortion drugs is to get an ultrasound. This simple scan will tell you your pregnancy’s age, location, and viability—which are all essential details to know before seeking a medical abortion.
At Elevate Pregnancy and Family Resource Center, we offer free, limited ultrasounds because we believe you deserve to have all the information you need to make a safe, informed decision.
Contact us today to schedule your private appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.
*All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.