Are you considering a medical abortion (the abortion pill)? It’s a serious medical procedure that terminates an early pregnancy, and you should always weigh the risks and side effects before you move forward.
However, this blog isn’t about the standard risks. (You can read about those here.) Instead, we will cover some facts about medical abortion that aren’t commonly talked about, starting with how an ultrasound can save your life.
Schedule a no-cost and confidential appointment at Palm Beach Women’s Clinic to protect your health and safety by confirming your pregnancy with an ultrasound.
Fact #1. Medical Abortion Can’t Treat an Ectopic Pregnancy.
An ultrasound can save women’s lives by detecting ectopic pregnancies before they take the abortion pill (medical abortion). Ectopic pregnancies are non-viable pregnancies that implant outside the uterus and can cause life-threatening bleeding if they are left untreated.
Abortion pills have no effect on ectopic pregnancies because they are outside the uterus. Instead, women who do not know they have this serious condition will move forward with the procedure, triggering vaginal bleeding. They’ll never know they have an ectopic pregnancy until they develop symptoms like severe pelvic pain or extreme lightheadedness and fainting.
Instead, a simple ultrasound scan can catch an ectopic pregnancy so women can get treated before it leads to serious complications.
Fact #2. Some Women See the Fetus.
While medical websites don’t usually share anything about this part of the experience, many women report seeing the fetus on Reddit and in social media posts. The likelihood goes up the later a woman is in her pregnancy during the procedure, because the fetus will be larger.
Fact #3. Blood Clots as Large as a Lemon Are Normal.
Saying a medical abortion is similar to a heavy period does not prepare women for what they might experience. Abortion providers say blood clots as large as a lemon are normal, and women should seek medical care if they are larger than this.
However, women are advised to see their doctors if they have blood clots larger than a quarter during their periods.
Fact #4. The Abortion Pill Was Originally Approved for Seven Weeks.
The FDA approved the abortion pill in 2000 for use through seven weeks of pregnancy. However, the FDA extended its approval to ten weeks in 2016. Recently, there have been legal challenges arguing that the FDA should not have extended it to ten weeks due to women’s safety.
Safeguard Your Reproductive Health
You only have one body; make sure you’re doing what you can to protect it.
Palm Beach Women’s Clinic offers no-cost ultrasounds so you can make an informed choice and learn details about your pregnancy, like how far along you are and whether you should visit the emergency room for a potential ectopic pregnancy.
You’re a strong, independent woman. Take your health into your own hands and ensure your safety by scheduling your no-cost appointment today.