When you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, it’s natural to start researching your options. If you’ve come across the abortion pill, you may be wondering exactly what it is and what it involves. Before making any decision, having accurate medical information is essential.
At Woman to Woman Health Center, we provide no-cost services to help you get the facts you need. Schedule an appointment today, and keep reading to learn more about how the abortion pill works.
What Is a Chemical Abortion?
The abortion pill is also referred to as a chemical abortion. It involves two drugs used in sequence to end a pregnancy and is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation. Using these drugs beyond that point is not recommended due to increased health risks.
The first drug, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone, the hormone necessary for a pregnancy to continue. This causes the uterine lining to break down. The second drug, misoprostol, is taken shortly after and causes the uterus to contract and expel the developing fetus.
Side Effects and Risks
Bleeding and cramping will occur during the chemical abortion process, but additional side effects can occur, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
Potential risks include infection, heavy or prolonged bleeding, and incomplete abortion, a complication in which pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus and may require surgical follow-up.
Because certain complications can escalate quickly, it’s important to confirm your pregnancy and understand your health history before moving forward with any decision.
Your Next Steps at Woman to Woman
At Woman to Woman Health Center, we offer lab-quality pregnancy testing at no charge to give you an initial result. Following a positive test, an ultrasound can confirm critical details about your pregnancy, including where it is located and how far along you are. You need these details to protect your health and determine which options might be available.
Our team will also discuss all your options with you, including parenting, adoption, and abortion, so that you can make a fully informed decision about your health and your future.
Schedule your no-cost appointment today. We’re here to make sure you have everything you need.
Woman to Woman Health Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.