What is the Abortion Pill?
No woman dreams of getting an abortion, but if you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may feel like it’s your only option.
If you’re considering terminating your pregnancy using the abortion pill, it’s important to take time to learn about the medications used, when you may be eligible for the procedure, and what to expect after you’ve taken the pills.
What is the Abortion Pill and How Does it Work to End a Pregnancy?
The abortion pill, also known as a medical abortion, is a chemical procedure that utilizes two drugs, Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
The first pill, Mifepristone, is administered to end the body’s natural production of the pregnancy hormone called progesterone. Progesterone provides the pregnancy with nourishment and support and without it, the pregnancy will end.
Once the pregnancy ends, Misoprostol is used to force contractions, which will push the pregnancy tissue from the body.
Who is Eligible for the Abortion Pill?
In order for the pill to be effective, it must be taken within the first 70 days of pregnancy.
After that point, your pregnancy may be too developed and this could lead to an incomplete abortion and retained fetal tissue, which may require an emergency surgical abortion procedure.
Before you schedule an appointment for an abortion, it’s vital to confirm the gestational age of your pregnancy through an ultrasound scan. Your ultrasound scan will tell you how far along you are, where your pregnancy is located, and whether there are any health concerns that need to be addressed, such as an ectopic pregnancy.
First Care Pregnancy Center provides ultrasound scans, pregnancy testing, STD testing and treatment, community referrals, and more!
Where Does a Medical Abortion Take Place?
Mifepristone is typically administered at a doctor’s office or abortion provider location; however, Misoprostol, the second medication, is taken at home between 24-48 hours later. This means that the pregnancy is typically expelled at home.
Does the Abortion Pill Have Side Effects?
Yes — it is normal to experience side effects when taking the abortion pill.
The abortion pill process involves bleeding and cramping as the body contracts and expels the pregnancy tissue. In fact, it may be cause for concern if the pill does not cause bleeding and cramping, as this can mean the pregnancy is not properly exiting the uterus.
Additionally, women also experience side effects such as vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, fever, chills, diarrhea, weakness, and fatigue.
Does the Abortion Pill Come With Severe Health Risks?
Yes — the abortion pill can be associated with severe health risks, including sepsis, infection, and hemorrhaging.
Is the Abortion Pill Right for Me?
Deciding what to do regarding an unplanned pregnancy can be a difficult process. In order to know if the abortion pill is right for you and avoid potential health risks, we recommend scheduling a free appointment to learn more about all your options.
First Care Pregnancy Center provides free pregnancy testing, ultrasound scans, and STD testing and treatment to confirm your pregnancy, assess your eligibility for the abortion pill, and determine if you are at risk for serious health complications.
We also provide free options counseling where we will provide you with unbiased information on all of your options and the many community resources available to you during this time.
As you make a choice for your pregnancy, the more information you have, the better! The staff at First Care Pregnancy Center is here to help you navigate this difficult decision and make the choice that’s best for you and your future.
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What’s the Difference Between Plan B and the Abortion Pill?
Are you experiencing some early pregnancy symptoms? A late period, tender breasts, and nausea can all be signs. If your pregnancy was totally unexpected, you may be thinking about either Plan B or the abortion pill. Is there a difference?
Plan B vs. the Abortion Pill
Plan B
Plan B is also known as the “morning-after” pill. It is considered an emergency contraceptive, but should never be used as a regular form of contraception. Plan B works to delay or prevent ovulation and fertilization. However, it’s not effective if an egg has already been fertilized.
According to the National Institute of Health, the morning-after pill doesn’t stop pregnancy if it’s taken on the day of ovulation or after ovulation. Since the actual date of ovulation is difficult to determine, there’s no guarantee that Plan B will work.
Plan B may not be effective if you’re overweight or obese, allergic to any of its ingredients or taking certain other medications.
Abortion Pill
The abortion pill is a medication method of abortion. It isn’t just one pill. The process actually uses two very powerful drugs, mifepristone, and misoprostol. The first drug, mifepristone, works to block a hormone called progesterone. This drug causes the uterine lining to thin and prevents the embryo from implanting and growing.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina. This abortion method can only be used up to the 10th week of pregnancy.
Side Effects of Both
Side Effects for Plan B Include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain or cramps
Side Effects for the Abortion Pill:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
How We Can Help You
If you suspect you are unexpectedly pregnant, First Care Pregnancy Center is your best first step. We provide free lab-quality urine pregnancy testing that is 99% accurate. If the test is positive, First Care provides free limited ultrasounds to help you confirm a viable pregnancy, detect a fetal heartbeat, and estimate how far along you are based on fetal measurements.
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