You should always learn the eligibility requirements of any drug you might take. The abortion pill is no exception.
Understanding your eligibility for the abortion pill and its risks and side effects is a crucial step to take during the decision-making process. With your health in mind, you can go on to make a thoughtful decision.
Continue reading to learn more about the abortion pill’s eligibility requirements and factors that could exclude you from taking these drugs. You can also get your questions answered at Pregnancy Resources.
Request a free and confidential appointment today.
What is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill (also called medical abortion) uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy.
The first drug is mifepristone. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone that helps the pregnancy grow and develop. Without progesterone, the uterine lining thins, and the pregnancy detaches from this lining and ends.
Misoprostol is taken around 24-48 hours later. This drug causes the uterus to contract. The contractions expel the pregnancy and tissue from the body.
Anyone who takes abortion drugs will have abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. These side effects can be severe for some women.
Other side effects can occur, including:
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
It is crucial to note that the FDA has approved the abortion pill only through 10 weeks gestation. It is not recommended to take abortion drugs past this time.
Various factors could make a woman ineligible for abortion, including:
- Having an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
- Having an ectopic pregnancy (this condition requires emergency medical treatment to prevent life-threatening complications)
- Having certain medical conditions, including anemia, some bleeding disorders, chronic adrenal failure, certain heart or blood vessel diseases, severe liver, kidney, or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder
- Taking a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines
- Being unable to reach a healthcare professional by phone or online or have access to emergency care
- Having an allergy to the drugs used
It is crucial to speak with a healthcare provider about your situation and potential eligibility. They can review your medical history, explain the procedure, and discuss concerns.
Protecting your health is an essential step of the process. Pregnancy Resources offers free services to confirm your pregnancy and discuss your options.
Free, Confidential Services
Pregnancy Resources offers limited obstetrical ultrasounds with a positive pregnancy test at our center. This scan provides critical information about your pregnancy, including:
- Viability: Is your pregnancy progressing, and is there a heartbeat? As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. You may need additional monitoring and treatment after a miscarriage.
- Gestational age: How far along are you? Knowing this detail can help determine the options available.
- Location: Is your pregnancy located in the uterus? If you have an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg is implanted in a location other than your uterus (commonly a fallopian tube). You’ll need immediate medical care to prevent complications.
We also provide options information. You’ll learn the risks and side effects of abortion and receive information on parenting and adoption. It’s your choice to make–we’ll supply the facts.
We are here for you. Request a free and confidential appointment today.
Pregnancy Resources of Delaware County does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
