Also known as medical abortion, the abortion pill is a first-trimester abortion that consists of two different abortion drugs. It comes with risks to know beforehand, and the FDA only recommends them for women through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Otherwise, the number of risks will go up.
How the Abortion Pill Process Works
The abortion pill process is not as simple and convenient as you imagine. There are two different drugs used in the process that work to terminate an existing pregnancy.
- Mifepristone
Mifepristone is the first abortion drug taken in the process. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone and causes the lining of the uterus to thin. It prevents the embryo from staying attached to the uterine wall and growing.
- Misoprostol
Misoprostol is taken around 24-48 hours later. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina.
Understand the Risks
Mayo Clinic lists the potential risks of medical abortion as follows:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the medication abortion doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever, especially serious if longer than 24 hours
Some of the most common side effects of Mifepristone and Misoprostol:
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness/Dizziness
- Abdominal Pain/Uterine cramping
- Back Pain
- Headache
Before Making Your Decision
You deserve clarity before making up your mind about abortion, as it will drastically affect your future. Get answers by being fully informed about your pregnancy details and all your pregnancy options at Crossroads Women’s Center.
If you or someone you know is considering abortion, understanding where you are in your pregnancy is highly recommended because 20-25% of early pregnancies end in miscarriage. You may not need to go through the pain and cost of an abortion. Want to know if you’re likely to miscarry? The technology exists, and you have the right to know.
Schedule a free and confidential appointment today.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.