Abortion Pill

What Is The Abortion Pill?

Although “abortion pill” is the popular name given to this procedure by abortion clinics, it is not one pill, and it is not as easy as they would have you believe. Get the facts before you choose the abortion pill method.

The abortion pill method is known as a medication abortion. Sometimes it is also called RU-486. You are only eligible for a medication abortion if you are less than ten weeks into your pregnancy. After ten weeks, you need to have a surgical abortion.

The abortion pill is a two-step process. Before the abortion provider can begin the procedure, you need an ultrasound. The ultrasound determines if you have a viable intrauterine pregnancy, and it can rule out an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.  It measures how far along you are in your pregnancy and determines what type of abortion you are eligible for.  A viable intrauterine pregnancy means the pregnancy is in the right location and a heartbeat is detected.

How Does The Abortion Pill Work?

Once you have had an ultrasound and determined you are eligible for the Abortion Pill, you will begin the procedure. You take the first drug, mifepristone (Mifeprex®). This drug blocks the production of the hormone progesterone, commonly referred to as the “pregnancy hormone.”

Progesterone helps the fertilized egg implant on the wall of your uterus. Mifepristone causes the lining of the uterus to thin and prevents the fetus from staying implanted.

The second drug, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours after the mifepristone. Misoprostol causes your body to cramp to expel the fetus.

Can I Order The Abortion Pill Online?

Because it is powerful and highly regulated, only an abortion doctor is legally allowed to distribute the abortion pill. According to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the drug is available legally to individual abortion facilities, including clinics, medical offices, and hospitals. It is not available in retail pharmacies.

If you tried to purchase the abortion pill online illegally, you would not be able to verify the chemicals in the drugs. Since these online drugs are not required to comply with FDA safeguards, you have no assurance of their quality. Oversight by the FDA assures the manufacturing process, and the facility meets the necessary standards to protect your health.

What Should I Do Before Taking The Abortion Pill?

We can help you understand the abortion pill procedure or other abortion methods at the Palm Beach Women’s Clinic. In addition, we can confirm your pregnancy with confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing. If you receive a positive result, we can also perform a no-cost ultrasound to tell you how far along your pregnancy is.

We truly care about you. Schedule your appointment today.