Medical abortion is often explained in a few short sentences, but there are details about the process that can be easy to miss when you are researching quickly.
If you are considering this option, Crossroads Women’s Center offers no-cost, confidential options consultations where you can receive evidence-based medical information about abortion and ask questions before making a decision.
And if you are still waiting to confirm your pregnancy, you can also begin with a lab-quality urine pregnancy test. After a positive result, you can schedule an ultrasound performed by a licensed sonographer.
Schedule an appointment today to get started, and keep reading to learn crucial facts about medical abortion.
1. The FDA Approval Has a Time Limit
The abortion pill generally uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol.
The FDA has approved mifepristone, used with misoprostol, to end an intrauterine pregnancy through 10 weeks of gestation, or 70 days from the first day of the last menstrual period.
If your cycles are irregular or you are uncertain about the date of your last period, your estimate may not be exact. An ultrasound can provide additional information about gestational age.
2. Much of the Process Happens at Home
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for the pregnancy to continue. Misoprostol is taken afterward and causes the uterus to contract and empty.
Vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping occur during the process. Other side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, and chills.
Because these symptoms often occur outside a medical office, you will want to know in advance what to expect and when medical attention may be necessary.
3. There Are Risks to Be Aware Of
Medical abortion is associated with certain risks, including heavy bleeding, infection, an incomplete abortion requiring additional treatment, or digestive symptoms.
According to Mayo Clinic, you should contact a healthcare professional right away if you have any of these symptoms after a medical abortion:
- Heavy bleeding, meaning you soak through two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row
- Severe pain in the abdomen or pelvis
- Chills or body aches
- A fast heart rate
- A fever that lasts longer than four hours, or one that begins in the days after taking misoprostol
- Vaginal discharge with a foul odor
If you cannot reach a provider, seek emergency care.
Learning about the potential risks and warning signs can help you know when to seek help. Discussing your health history with a provider can also help you consider your specific circumstances and what questions may still need to be answered.
4. A Pregnancy Test Cannot Tell You Everything
A pregnancy test detects hCG, but it cannot tell you exactly how far along you are or where the pregnancy is located.
Following a positive lab-quality urine pregnancy test, an ultrasound performed by a licensed sonographer can confirm whether your pregnancy is developing, how far along you are, and where the pregnancy is located.
Those details can help you understand which information about abortion may apply.
Ask Your Questions Before Deciding
If you are researching medical abortion, knowing more than the basic steps can help you understand what the process actually involves.
In addition to pregnancy confirmation services, Crossroads Women’s Center offers options consultations with evidence-based medical information about abortion.
Schedule an appointment today.
Crossroads Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.