What is a Medical Abortion?

Using the abortion pill entails ingesting two FDA-approved drugs within the first 10 weeks, mifepristone and misoprostol.

While it may appear a convenient choice, it is vital to gather comprehensive knowledge about medical abortion before deciding.

If you’re trying to determine if a medical abortion is the best option for your unplanned pregnancy, navigating through all the options online can be overwhelming. We have compiled some things you may want to know about medical abortion in this blog.

Keep reading to find out more about the abortion pill, including the risks involved and the health screenings that are recommended before going through with the procedure.

How Does It Work?

After the first medication, mifepristone prevents progesterone from reaching the pregnancy, it will stop developing.

After the pregnancy has ended, misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours after the first medication to induce uterine cramping. Much like when experiencing a natural miscarriage, the uterus must contract to expel the pregnancy remnants. 

What Are the Risks?

Potential risks of medical abortion include:

• Incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the pregnancy remain in the uterus
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

It’s also essential to ensure you are not taking certain other medications with mifepristone.

What Should I Do Before Starting the Abortion Pill?

Make sure to take a pregnancy test before opting for a medical abortion, rather than solely relying on common symptoms. 

After a positive pregnancy test result, you’ll also want to schedule an ultrasound. This important health screening can provide valuable insights into the age of the pregnancy and its viability (up to 26% of pregnancies end in miscarriage). 

Next Steps

First Care offers free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to provide vital information for your decision-making. We can help you read the results and answer your questions in a safe, judgment-free environment. Contact us today!