If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, you may have heard the terms medical abortion or abortion pill and wondered what it actually involves.
A medical abortion uses two abortion drugs to end an existing pregnancy. While some people refer to these as “the abortion pill,” the process actually involves two different drugs that interact together over the course of several days.
If you’re considering this option, it’s important to understand how these drugs work, the possible risks involved, and why an ultrasound is an essential step before making any pregnancy decision. Read on to learn more, or contact Pregnancy Resources of Delaware County to find a safe space to ask questions and get answers.
1. How Do the Abortion Drugs Work?
A medical abortion involves two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is necessary to support and sustain a pregnancy. Without it, the uterine lining thins, which causes the pregnancy to detach and eventually end.
The second drug, misoprostol, is usually taken 24 to 48 hours later. It causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina via uterine contractions.
Many women complete this process at home rather than in a medical facility. The experience can vary from woman to woman, but it inherently involves vaginal bleeding, uterine cramping, and the passing of blood clots and the pregnancy, which can be disturbing for some women.
2. What Are the Side Effects and Risks?
Abortion drugs come with side effects and risks.
Common side effects include:
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Risks, although rarer, can be life-threatening and include infection and sepsis. Signs you might be experiencing one of these risks include:
- Heavy bleeding, such as soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row
- Bad pain in the stomach area or pelvis
- Chills or body aches
- Fast heart rate
- Fever that lasts more than four hours or that starts in the days after you take misoprostol
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
3. Why Is an Ultrasound So Important?
Before taking abortion drugs, it’s important to have an ultrasound.
A home pregnancy test can tell you that you’re pregnant, but it cannot provide critical medical information about your pregnancy.
An ultrasound can determine:
- Whether the pregnancy is located inside the uterus
- Whether the pregnancy is viable (meaning you haven’t miscarried)
- Approximately how far along you are
This information helps protect your health.
For example, an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus. It is a medical emergency that cannot be treated with abortion drugs. Without an ultrasound, you wouldn’t know whether your pregnancy is ectopic.
An ultrasound can also identify whether you’ve already experienced a miscarriage while pregnancy hormones remain in your body.
In addition, knowing how far along you are is especially important because abortion drugs are FDA-approved for use only through 10 weeks of gestation. And if you take these drugs and are further along, you put yourself at risk for potentially serious complications.
Find Answers at Pregnancy Resources of Delaware County
If you’re considering abortion, you deserve accurate medical information and a safe place to ask questions before making your decision.
At Pregnancy Resources of Delaware County, we provide free, confidential pregnancy testing and free ultrasounds for qualifying patients so you can receive important information about your pregnancy. Our caring team is here to explain all of your pregnancy options, answer your questions, and provide compassionate support without pressure or financial interest in your decision.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Contact Pregnancy Resources of Delaware County today to schedule your confidential appointment. We’re here for you.
Pregnancy Resources of Delaware County does not provide or refer for abortions.
