If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering the abortion pill, you deserve the full picture before you make a decision.
Advertising can make medical abortion sound quick and uncomplicated, but the drugs involved carry real physical risks that every woman should understand before taking them.
At the Pregnancy Care Center of Rincon, we offer free, confidential pregnancy services, including pregnancy testing and an ultrasound (if your pregnancy test is positive), so you can move forward with clarity.
Schedule your free appointment today.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill, also called medical abortion, is a two-drug regimen.
Mifepristone is taken first. It blocks progesterone, the hormone that the pregnancy needs to continue growing.
Misoprostol is administered 24 to 48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through the vagina.
Risks to Be Aware Of
Every woman who takes the abortion pill will experience cramping and vaginal bleeding.
Beyond those expected effects, there are specific risks every woman should weigh before moving forward.
Physical risks of the abortion pill can include:
- An incomplete abortion, which may require a follow-up surgical procedure to remove remaining tissue
- Prolonged or heavy bleeding, including passing large blood clots
- Infection, with signs that include foul-smelling discharge or a fever lasting longer than 24 hours
- Severe abdominal pain that does not improve with time
- Digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Allergic reaction to the medications used
It’s important to know that the abortion pill is also only approved by the FDA through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
The abortion pill will also not treat an ectopic pregnancy, a condition where the pregnancy implants outside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy requires emergency medical care.
Research has also linked abortion to higher rates of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and substance use in some women.
Understanding both the physical and emotional aspects of this decision is part of protecting your overall health.
Why an Ultrasound Comes First
An ultrasound is the only way to confirm three details that directly affect your safety: how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is inside the uterus, and whether it is progressing normally.
Without this information, you cannot know whether the abortion pill poses a medical risk to you or whether you may already be experiencing a miscarriage that may need careful treatment.
We Are Here to Help
You should not have to sort through a decision like this alone.
Our team at Pregnancy Care Center of Rincon can provide you with a free pregnancy test and, if necessary, a follow-up ultrasound, along with honest information and a listening ear, all in a confidential, non-judgmental environment.
We truly care about you and are here to provide you with a space to ask any question.
Reach out today to schedule your appointment and get the answers you need before taking any next steps.