If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, you are likely trying to consider all your options, including whether the abortion pill is right for you.
While you may have heard that the abortion pill is a simple way to handle an unplanned pregnancy, there are important facts and information you need to be aware of before making your decision.
To best protect your health, keep reading to learn more about the abortion pill, how it works, risks to be aware of, and factors that can make you ineligible to use the abortion pill.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill, also referred to as medical abortion, is actually a series of two drugs that are used to terminate a viable pregnancy.
Mifepristone is the drug first used, and it causes the lining of your uterus to thin. When the uterus thins, it forces the fertilized egg to detach from your uterine wall and stop growing.
The next drug used is called misoprostol, and it is taken 24-48 hours later. Misoprostol forces your uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy and related tissue from your body through your vagina.
Risks and Limitations to Using the Abortion Pill
To best protect your health, there are risks and limitations to using the abortion pill that you need to be aware of.
Limitations
The first thing to know is that, according to the FDA, attempting a medical abortion is not recommended after the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, as it can lead to serious health complications, such as an incomplete abortion.
A medical abortion is also not safe to attempt if you have an ectopic pregnancy or are in the process of a miscarriage.
Additionally, there are pre-existing medical conditions that can prevent you from using the abortion pill, such as having an intrauterine device (IUD) or having specific medical issues, such as bleeding disorders, heart or blood vessel diseases, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
Risks
If you are eligible for a medical abortion, there are also known risks that you need to know about.
Risks of medical abortion include:
- Fever
- Infection
- Heavy bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Digestive issues
- Allergic reaction to the drugs used
- Incomplete abortion, which may necessitate a surgical procedure
Get the Information You Need
The first step you can take when considering using the abortion pill is to speak with a medical professional regarding your health history and to have an ultrasound scan to learn details about your pregnancy.
An ultrasound scan will reveal the gestational age, location, and viability of your pregnancy, all of which are important pieces of information you will need to know before attempting a medical abortion.
Here to Help
Palm Beach Women’s Clinic is here to help you.
We provide free pregnancy test confirmation and a follow-up ultrasound scan. Our trained staff will also review the ultrasound scan results with you, answer your questions, and discuss the options available to you.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.
Palm Beach Women’s Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.