What are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

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The Abortion Pill, also known as medication abortion, carries along some misconceptions that all women considering abortion should be aware of.

Abortion, no matter what method is used, is a serious physical and emotional decision. We want you to be prepared for what could go wrong in an abortion procedure, so you can confidently make the best pregnancy decision for your unique situation.

Things You Need Before Taking the Pill

First, we recommend confirming your pregnancy at Choices, Options for Women's Health. The abortion pill method is only available to women who are at 10 weeks or under in pregnancy.

Do you know exactly when you got pregnant? If not, the information you will receive from lab-quality testing and an ultrasound exam will determine the age of your pregnancy. These steps are preliminary to the type of abortion you qualify for.

Side-Effects of the Abortion Pill

Once you determine that you are eligible to take the abortion pill, it is imperative that you understand the risks associated with the procedure for your own safety.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the side effects of the abortion pill, in addition to vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping, include:

  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea


Frequently cited risks include:

  • 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

The Specifics of the Abortion Pill Procedure

Medication abortion, or the abortion pill, is a series of two powerful drugs taken over a couple of hours, or days. These drugs work together to expel the fetus from your body.

Your body generates a hormone called progesterone, known as the pregnancy hormone, to foster embryonic growth following fertilization. When you use the abortion pill procedure, the first drug you take is called mifepristone. This drug blocks the womb from absorbing progesterone, creating an uninhabitable environment for the fetus.

Misoprostol is then taken hours or even days after the first drug. The second drug induces contractions to expel your pregnancy. Because heavy bleeding is often associated with a medication abortion, you need to be at home and near a bathroom.

Your Next Steps

Self-testing is not always a reliable way to determine if you're actually pregnant. Many times the over-the-counter tests are taken too soon, or the directions aren't followed carefully. We suggest you verify your test with one of our no-cost lab-quality pregnancy tests.

An ultrasound can help determine if your pregnancy is viable by detecting a fetal heartbeat. If not, you've most likely had a miscarriage and there would be no need for the abortion pill. At Choices, Options for Women's Health, we offer free ultrasounds.

If you need to schedule your pre-abortion testing with a no-cost pregnancy test and ultrasound, call us to schedule an appointment with Choices, Options for Women's Health today.

    
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Sunday, 05 January 2025

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