The Abortion Pill - What are the Medical Facts?
You see the positive pregnancy test, and your emotions are all over the place…panic, tears, anger, fear. You start asking yourself, ‘What am I going to do?
We realize that experiencing an unexpected pregnancy can be scary. It’s natural to look up different options about what you can do. Before you make any decisions, we want to remind you that you’re not alone. We’re here to listen and provide answers to any questions about the situation that you’re in. Our intent is not to tell you what to do but to give you the information you may be looking for before you decide what to do about your unexpected pregnancy.
With the abortion pill currently being offered through the mail, maybe this seems like an easy option.
What is the Abortion Pill?
To clarify, the term ‘abortion pill’ is slightly misleading as it requires taking two medications (in the form of pills) prescribed by a doctor. The first medication, mifepristone, is taken by mouth, and the second medication, misoprostol, is taken by mouth or vaginally. This is only an option for women who are less than 11 weeks pregnant by LMP.1
How does the Abortion Pill Work?
It’s not like taking something for a headache. You don’t just pop a pill and, within 30 minutes, aren’t pregnant.
The first medication causes your body to block progesterone, which is necessary for the continuation of pregnancy. When this happens, the embryo cannot stay attached. The second medication causes your uterus to contract and expel the embryo.
This will cause your body will go through the following:
- Bleeding and cramping will start 1-4 hours after taking the second medication.
- Heavy bleeding with blood clots.
- Heavy cramping for several hours.
- A low fever or chills can last about a day after taking the second pill.
- Possibility of feeling tired, nausea, dizziness, and having diarrhea.2
Is the Abortion Pill Safe?
The reality is any medical or surgical procedure always has potential risks. Some risks of taking the the abortion pill can include:
- Heavy bleeding that will not stop.
- Diarrhea and digestive pain.
- Pregnancy tissue that does not pass entirely from the body, making surgery necessary.
- Infection.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Allergic reaction to the medications.3
How Will I Feel Afterwards?
Every woman handles emotions and changes in their life differently. Any pregnancy loss (intentional or unintentional) will interrupt the hormone cycle, which can cause long-term emotional, relational, and/or medical health effects.
After a loss, some women experience emotions ranging from guilt to regret to shame. This can sometimes lead to clinical depression, affecting your energy, sleep, feelings, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Suicidal thoughts or self-harm can also affect somebody dealing with depression.
What Should My Next Step Be?
Your first step should be to confirm that you really are pregnant. We can help you by providing a free lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound to ensure that you have a viable pregnancy. A viable pregnancy means an embryo is implanted in your uterus and has a heartbeat. An ultrasound will also reveal how far along you are, affecting your options.
Unexpected pregnancies can reveal a lot of uncertainties in your life. You may feel pressure to decide quickly. Still, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to make that decision today. Take a deep breath and do some more research to help you choose what’s best for you.
We’re here to help you walk and talk through your decisions. We’re dedicated to providing medical information and resources throughout your journey.
If you’ve already had an abortion and find yourself struggling in any way, we have staff who know what you’re going through. We’re here to listen and help give you direction towards healing.
Feel free to call us today and schedule a visit at no cost to you.
