The abortion pill is a serious medical procedure, also known as medical abortion. It is a process that comes with side effects as simple as nausea but also as serious as an incomplete abortion.
It’s essential to understand this abortion option before moving forward, as well as learn all the risks and side effects that come with it. In this blog, we will cover all of these major details of the procedure.
What to Expect with the Abortion Pill
If considering taking the abortion pill it is in your best interest to know what to expect. The abortion pill, known as medical abortion, involves two different drugs that work together to terminate an existing pregnancy.
First, Misopristone works to block the womb from absorbing progesterone – a normally occurring pregnancy hormone. This drug causes the lining of the uterus to thin and prevents the embryo from growing. Next, Misoprostol causes the womb to contract and expel the embryo.
The Risks/Side Effects of the Abortion Pill
There are common side effects that come along with taking Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
​​These medications used in a medical abortion cause vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping. You may also experience…
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
If you experience any serious effects of the abortion pill, especially for an extended period of time, seek medical attention right away. Additional potential abortion pill risks include:
- Incomplete abortion (may need to be followed by surgical abortion)
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
A follow-up exam is highly recommended following the completion of the abortion pill procedure. Woman to Woman Health Center provides post-abortion exams and abortion recovery groups.
Confirm Your Pregnancy Options
The abortion pill is only approved for use during the first six weeks of pregnancy in the state of Texas. So it’s important to receive an ultrasound to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy, confirm if you have a viable pregnancy, and one that is developing normally in the uterus (not an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage).
Schedule a free and confidential pregnancy testing and ultrasound appointment by our team of trained professionals at Woman to Woman Health Center today. We can sit down with you afterward to discuss all your pregnancy options.