Am I Eligible for the Abortion Pill?

To know whether you’re eligible for the abortion pill regimen, you need more information about your pregnancy, as there are other limitations to be aware of

A limited obstetrical ultrasound provides the information that you need prior to taking the abortion pills. You should also discuss your medical history, including STIs, as well as your physical and emotional health, with a licensed healthcare provider.

Schedule an ultrasound appointment at a First Care location nearest you. To receive a free ultrasound at First Care, you must have proof of a medical-grade positive pregnancy test. First Care offers medical-grade pregnancy tests at no cost to you, or you can present verification of a positive test from a third-party clinic.

What Is the Abortion Pill Method?

The abortion pill method is also known as a medication, medical, or chemical abortion. It’s a two-stage process using two powerful abortion drugs.

The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone from reaching the uterus. Progesterone is essential for pregnancy development. Without progesterone, the uterine lining thins in an effort to end the pregnancy.

Misoprostol, the second drug, causes bleeding and contractions to expel the pregnancy from the uterus. Some women have experienced excessive bleeding and severe pain after taking this drug.

What Are the Limitations?

The Cleveland Clinic states that a medical abortion (the abortion pill method) is not  a safe option for the following reasons:

You Are Too Far Along in Your Pregnancy

The FDA approves the use of mifepristone through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The further along you are, the less effective the drugs are.

You Are Allergic to the Drugs Used

Some individuals may experience adverse reactions to the drugs, such as hives, rashes, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.

You Have an Ectopic Pregnancy

Most pregnancies implant and grow in the uterus. If a pregnancy implants outside the uterus, it is called ectopic. An ectopic pregnancy can be extremely dangerous. The abortion pill method doesn’t end an ectopic pregnancy, so you would need to see your healthcare provider immediately.

You Use Long-Term Corticosteroids

Healthcare providers prescribe corticosteroids for asthma, arthritis, and eczema, among other health issues.

You Have an Intrauterine Device (IUD) in Place

Although an IUD is a form of contraception, it is still possible to get pregnant. You would need to have it removed before having an abortion to avoid causing damage to your uterus.

You Have a Blood Clotting Disorder

Symptoms include swelling and pain in your leg, chest pain, a heart attack, or a stroke.

You Don’t Have Access to Emergency Care

There are physical risks with the abortion pill that can be life-threatening.

What Other Issues Should I Consider?

In addition to learning how far along you are, an ultrasound determines if your pregnancy is ectopic and whether or not it’s a viable pregnancy. Experts estimate that 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and most occur in the first 20 weeks.

You can get a positive pregnancy test days or weeks after a miscarriage. An ultrasound detects if your pregnancy is developing or if you’ve miscarried.

You should also discuss your mental health with your healthcare provider. Studies show that an abortion can profoundly affect some women’s emotional health.

It is recommended to have STI testing prior to an abortion. If you have an STI that is untreated and proceed with an abortion, reproductive damage can occur.

Get the Information You Need First

Contact the First Care location nearest you. We provide free pregnancy testing and STI testing. With a positive pregnancy test, we can also provide a free, limited obstetric ultrasound by a licensed healthcare professional.  Learn more about abortion and your other options.

You can walk in or set up an appointment. All of our services are free and confidential. How can we help you today?

First Care does not perform or refer for abortion.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.