The shock of an unplanned pregnancy can make you feel unsure about your decision. Before you decide, you’ll want to have all the facts about your options and the information about your pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more about the abortion pill.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
With the abortion pill, a woman intentionally takes medication to terminate her pregnancy. Abortion pills may also be called a medical abortion, chemical abortion, RU-486, or at-home abortion.
The abortion pill regimen usually involves two medications. The first medication, mifepristone, interferes with progesterone receptors, blocking nutrients from reaching the fetus, and thereby stopping its further progression. Then, typically 24 to 48 hours later, the second pill, misoprostol, is taken which induces labor, causing the uterus to cramp and expel the pregnancy.[1]
Women may continue to experience bleeding for about 9 to 16 days and could bleed up to 30 days.[2] If bleeding continues past 30 days, this could mean there is a serious adverse side effect she is experiencing that needs prompt evaluation by a physician. She should follow up with a provider 7 to 14 days after taking the abortion pill to evaluate for complications.[2]
How Far Along Can You Take the Abortion Pill?
Women qualify for the abortion pill only up until 10 weeks of gestation.[3] Gestational age can be estimated based on a woman’s last menstrual period, but an ultrasound is the most exact way to determine the gestational age.
How Much Does the Abortion Pill Cost?
Abortion pills can cost up to $750 and include fees for ultrasounds, blood tests, medications, and follow-up appointments. At Mid Cities Women's Clinic we provide cost-free pregnancy confirmation and limited ultrasounds.
What are the Risks of the Abortion Pill?
Like any medical procedure or medication, the abortion pill has risks.[1] First, women wanting an abortion should rule out an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside of the uterus and can be life-threatening if not properly treated. So, before taking abortion pills, it is recommended that a woman receive an ultrasound first.
Further complications after taking mifepristone include serious or life-threatening bleeding[2], infection[2], allergic reaction[3], or incomplete abortion, which could require medical or surgical intervention[1].
Does the Abortion Pill Hurt?
Everyone tolerates pain differently, but on average, women report a higher level of pain than they expected. They describe the pain as worse than menstrual cramps and compare it to labor contractions.[4]
Where Can I Go to Get an Abortion Pill?
Some providers require a woman to take the first pill in the abortion clinic. Others, depending on state laws, can obtain abortion pills from certified pharmacies. However, because the abortion pill is illegal in Texas, women cannot receive it from healthcare professionals or pharmacies.
Women should never order abortion pills online from a foreign pharmacy. The FDA has not evaluated those pills for safety[3] and could contain the wrong amount of medication.
Can My Gynecologist Prescribe the Abortion Pill?
In states where abortion is legal, only certified doctors or mid-level providers can prescribe abortion pills. They will determine whether a woman qualifies for an abortion based on the gestational age. They will also rule out contraindications to an abortion such as an ectopic pregnancy, drug allergies, blood thinning disorders, an IUD, or other medical disorders.[3]
Is Plan B an Abortion Pill?
While they seem similar, Plan B and the abortion pill are not the same things. Plan B, sometimes referred to as the morning-after pill, is an emergency contraception pill that attempts to keep you from getting pregnant in the first place, while the abortion pill ends a pregnancy that has already begun. It’s also important to know that neither Plan B nor the abortion pill offers protection against sexually transmitted infections. If you think you are at risk for having an STI, it’s important to safeguard your health, regardless of what your intention may be for your pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Information in Euless, Texas
Weighing the pros and cons of abortion can feel overwhelming. But you are not alone. Visit Mid Cities Women's Clinic to speak with our qualified and compassionate staff. We provide a non-judgmental space for you to process your questions and concerns.
Please be aware that Mid Cities Women's Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- What is the Abortion Pill? (2024, January 10). Pregnancy Decision Line. https://pregnancydecisionline.org/what-is-the-abortion-pill/
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023, December 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
- FDA. (2023, September 1). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
- Georgsson, S., & Carlsson, T. (2019). Pain and pain management during induced abortions: A web-based exploratory study of recollections from previous patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(11), 3006–3017.https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14132