If you have become pregnant and are considering an abortion, you’ll want to know essential health screenings to schedule beforehand, such as an ultrasound to ensure your health and safety before making any further medical decisions.
Keep reading to understand what your available options are and how to protect your health while researching the abortion procedure.
How Does a Medication Abortion Work?
The abortion pill is a series of two different drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. The first medication is an antiprogestin, which prevents the pregnancy from receiving the hormone progesterone and ends the pregnancy.
Misoprostol induces uterine cramping, which facilitates the expulsion of pregnancy tissues, resembling the natural process by which the body naturally clears the uterus during a miscarriage.
Is Abortion Painful?
While every woman’s experience is different, here are some of the side effects that are common after a medical abortion:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
For a surgical abortion, side effects can include mild cramping, spotting, or light bleeding.
Schedule a No-Cost Viability Ultrasound
At Women’s Clinics, we provide free viability ultrasounds to make sure you’re 10 weeks or less, as the FDA only recommends medical abortion during this time period of pregnancy.
We also help you address potential health concerns such as ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Ectopic pregnancy refers to a condition where the pregnancy develops outside the uterus, unlike a typical healthy pregnancy. A miscarriage needs to be treated with a procedure other than an elective abortion.
Know if you qualify for medical abortion with an ultrasound today. We can also inform you about more of the potential risks of the abortion pill. It’s important to weigh the risks before making your final decision.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!