If you are considering using an abortion medication, it’s essential that you fully understand the medical process and potential impacts before making this decision. You may have questions like:
- What specific health screenings should I schedule before the procedure?
- How exactly does the medication work to terminate a pregnancy?
- What are the risks?
Keep reading to learn more about the abortion pill process. We also offer free consultations at our clinic, where you can discuss your options in a safe, supportive environment.
How does it work?
A medication abortion, also known as the “abortion pill,” consists of two different medications taken in succession within 48 hours.
The first medication, mifepristone, acts as an antiprogestin. This means it blocks the effects of the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for a pregnancy to develop. After taking mifepristone, the second medication, misoprostol, is taken to induce uterine cramping so that the fetus and pregnancy tissue are expelled.
This is only FDA-approved for women through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Women’s Clinic offers free ultrasounds where you can confirm your pregnancy details, including how far along you are.
What are the risks?
According to the Mayo Clinic, potential risks of medical abortion include:
- An incomplete abortion (may require another surgical abortion).
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Digestive symptoms such as upset stomach.
Schedule a Free Pre-Abortion Screening
Women’s Clinics offers various services to support patients facing an unexpected pregnancy. Among these are preventative screenings, including STD testing and ultrasounds, which can give you crucial information to make a confident decision.
In addition to researching the abortion pill, it’s a good idea to take these pregnancy confirmation steps so you can make an informed decision. Contact us today to make an appointment!