One of the first questions many women ask about the abortion pill is, “What will it actually be like?” While every woman’s experience is different, there are certain side effects and risks you should know before making a decision.
Reading about the abortion pill online can only take you so far. Before moving forward, it’s important to learn more about your pregnancy and address any questions you have. Brazos Pregnancy Center offers no-cost ultrasounds if you qualify, as well as options education, so you can get the information you need.
Walk in for a pregnancy test or contact Brazos Pregnancy Center to learn more about your next steps.
What Happens After You Take the Drugs?
A medical abortion involves two different drugs taken at separate times.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, the hormone needed to continue a pregnancy. The second drug, misoprostol, is usually taken 24 to 48 hours later. It causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy.
For most women, this process happens at home rather than in a medical setting.
Cramping and vaginal bleeding will occur as the drugs end and expel the pregnancy. Some women describe the bleeding as heavier than a normal menstrual period, and the cramping can range from moderate to severe. In fact, these side effects have been reported as unexpectedly severe.
Side Effects and Possible Risks
In addition to bleeding and cramping, the abortion pill may cause:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
Like any medical procedure, the abortion pill also carries potential risks. These include heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, an ongoing pregnancy if the drugs are unsuccessful, or an incomplete abortion that requires additional medical treatment.
If you experience symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding that doesn’t improve, or a prolonged fever after taking the abortion pill, seek medical attention right away.
Why an Ultrasound Should Come First
A home pregnancy test confirms human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is present, but it doesn’t provide the medical information needed before considering abortion.
An ultrasound can estimate how far along you are, determine whether the pregnancy is located inside the uterus, and identify whether the pregnancy is developing.
This information is important for multiple reasons. It can detect an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency that must receive immediate treatment to prevent life-threatening complications. The scan can also tell you whether your pregnancy has ended in miscarriage, which may require follow-up.
Additionally, knowing details like your gestational age is especially vital when weighing your options. The abortion pill is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of pregnancy, and taking these drugs past this timeframe isn’t recommended because it poses additional risks to your health.
Start With the Facts
Before deciding which pregnancy options to pursue, take time to learn more and ask the questions that matter to you.
At Brazos Pregnancy Center, our medical staff can potentially provide an ultrasound if you have received a positive pregnancy test with us, are fewer than 13 weeks along, and have not yet started prenatal care. We can also discuss your options and answer your questions about the abortion pill in a confidential setting.
If you’d like more information before making a decision, visit Brazos Pregnancy Center for a walk-in pregnancy test or reach out to learn more about our services.
Brazos Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
Abortion is currently banned in the state of Texas except to preserve the life of the pregnant woman, and in cases where the pregnancy poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. This will not affect care for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. A woman who may obtain or has previously obtained an abortion cannot be. prosecuted. References: Texas Health and Safety Code Title 2, Subtitle H, Chapters 170A and Chapter 171