First, it’s vital to understand what a medical abortion is. A medical abortion is also known as a chemical and medication abortion, but its more familiar name is the abortion pill. However, you don’t take just one pill. It’s two powerful drugs that end a pregnancy.
There are some facts about the abortion pill that you may not be aware of. We want to share those with you. Contact us to get the details about abortion procedures, the side effects to expect, and the potential physical and emotional consequences.
1: The Abortion Pill May Not Be a Safe Option for You
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a medical abortion isn’t a safe option for the following reasons:
- You are too far along in your pregnancy. The FDA approves the use of the drugs for a medical abortion through 10 weeks of pregnancy only.
- You are allergic to either mifepristone or misoprostol, the two drugs used in this method.
- The location of your pregnancy is outside of your uterus. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy and can cause serious, life-threatening health issues.
- You use long-term corticosteroids for such things as asthma, eczema, or arthritis.
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place.
- You have a blood-clotting disorder, anemia, or chronic adrenal failure.
- You don’t have access to emergency care.
2: You Have Over a One in Four Chance of Miscarriage
Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Because it takes a woman’s body days or weeks after a miscarriage to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, it’s possible to get a positive pregnancy test even afterward.
Most miscarriages occur within the first trimester (13 weeks). Sometimes, they happen before a woman even realizes she’s pregnant, but depending on when you take a pregnancy test, it could still show a false positive.
Determining whether or not you are still pregnant is critical before ordering the drugs.
3: Some Women Experience Serious Bleeding and Cramping
Although every woman’s abortion experience is unique, you can expect a measure of bleeding and cramping with every procedure. However, one report found that women described the pain as “out of this world.”
Because you perform the abortion pill method in your home, it’s vital to know how much pain and bleeding is too much and when you should seek emergency care. One of the risks of a medical abortion is heavy and prolonged bleeding.
4: It’s Possible to Have an Incomplete Abortion
Another risk of the abortion pill method is an incomplete abortion. When an abortion is incomplete, the pregnancy ends, but not all of the pregnancy tissue leaves the body.
Doctors refer to this as retained products of conception. You may experience a fever, pelvic pain, and an infection. Heavy bleeding or blood clots could indicate an infection, and you may need additional medical intervention.
Getting an Ultrasound Provides the Answers You Need
Affirm Women’s Health provides free and confidential limited obstetrical ultrasounds. Why do you need an ultrasound?
You will learn whether your pregnancy is viable, how far along you are (in case you’re considering the abortion pill method), and the location of your pregnancy (to rule out an ectopic pregnancy).
Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we can provide the factual, medically based information you need to understand the abortion pill procedure, its side effects, and the potential risks. We care about your physical and emotional health. Schedule an appointment with us before you take the next step.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.