When unexpectedly pregnant, it’s natural to want to learn all you can about every option. One of those options is the abortion pill, also called a medical abortion. Before you move forward, it’s important to understand how it works, what to expect, and the possible risks to your health.
If you’re considering abortion, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Dove Medical. We provide free and confidential pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and a safe space to learn about all your options.
What Is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill is a two-step process to end an early pregnancy with two different prescription drugs. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for pregnancy to continue. Without enough progesterone, the pregnancy will not survive.
The second drug, misoprostol, is taken 24–48 hours later to cause the uterus to contract, leading to abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding to expel the pregnancy and all related tissue from the body.
How Far Along Can You Be?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the abortion pill for use during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. After this timeframe, the risks of complications, such as incomplete abortion, increase. An ultrasound is the only way to confirm how far along you are and to detect conditions like ectopic pregnancy, which cannot be treated with the abortion pill.
What Side Effects Should You Expect?
Every person who takes the abortion pill will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Other side effects can include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Upset Stomach
The level of pain and bleeding varies from person to person, but many report the process as more intense than they expected.
What Are the Risks?
As with any medical procedure, abortion pills come with risks. These may include:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Incomplete abortion, which may require surgical intervention
- Ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not work
- Infection
- Digestive system discomfort
Because most medical abortions are completed at home, it’s important to recognize warning signs of complications—such as soaking more than two pads an hour for two hours, a fever lasting more than four hours, or foul-smelling discharge—and seek medical care immediately.
Protecting Your Health
Your health matters, and you deserve to have the full picture before making any decision. At Dove Medical, we don’t provide or refer for abortions, but we do offer essential services such as pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to help you make an informed choice.
Schedule your free appointment today to learn details about your pregnancy and get answers in a safe space.
*Dove Medical offers pregnancy diagnosis, decision coaching, and accurate information about all pregnancy options; however, we do not refer for or perform abortion services, including the abortion pill.
**This post is for education and information purposes only and does not substitute the advice of a Healthcare Professional.