The Abortion Pill

What is the abortion pill?

The abortion pill, also called a medical abortion, is two different drugs, Mifepristone and Misoprostol. It is FDA-approved up through 10 weeks after a woman's last menstrual period. An ultrasound is needed to verify how far along you are and if the pregnancy is viable. Note: If you are considering an at-home abortion, the FDA warns against buying pills online.

 

Who cannot take the abortion pill?

The abortion pill is not an option for women with:
 

• A pregnancy that is farther along than 11 weeks

• an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus)

• a nonviable pregnancy or miscarriage

• an IUD in place

• bleeding problems or taking blood thinners

• an allergic reaction to mifepristone, misoprostol, or similar drugs

• problems with the adrenal glands

• current long-term corticosteroid therapy

 

Do I need an ultrasound before an abortion?

The cost of an abortion is determined by how far along the pregnancy may be. An ultrasound is the most accurate way to determine the dates of the pregnancy. Conception calendars are not always accurate especially if the woman does not have a regular 28-day cycle or doesn’t remember her last menstrual period.

 

Also, having an ultrasound early in pregnancy can rule out an ectopic pregnancy which can be life-threatening if not treated. In addition, an ultrasound can show a natural miscarriage in which case an abortion would not need to be performed.

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Did you know that 1 in 5 pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and the majority of those are in the first three months of pregnancy? Contact us today to schedule your free ultrasound.

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Are there side effects of the abortion pill?

The documented side effects of the abortion pill include abdominal pain, severe cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, fever, and chills.

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Risks include seeing embryonic parts expelled, a possible life-threatening infection known as sepsis (severe systemic infection), not knowing whether the abortion was complete (some patients may require an additional surgical abortion procedure to complete the termination), undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy, and possible hemorrhaging ( very heavy bleeding).

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There may also be long-term mental health effects of medical abortion, particularly, how women feel about giving themselves an abortion, and seeing fetal parts expelled.

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Before taking the abortion pill or any other medication, get information from a trusted source so that you understand how it works and the possible side effects. Our medical team would be happy to meet with you.