You see the positive sign on your home pregnancy test, and your heart drops. We get it—right now can be a stressful and unexpected time. You are not alone.
If you’re considering abortion as a pregnancy option, you will want to know the facts when it comes to this serious medical decision.
Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, consists of two different drugs to terminate an existing pregnancy. It can come with some major risks. Keep reading to learn what they are.
How Medical Abortion Works
First, it’s important to point out that the FDA only recommends medical abortion for women who are up to ten weeks gestation. To safeguard your health, get pregnancy testing and an ultrasound at our center to determine your eligibility.
The two drugs used in a medical abortion process are mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks the progesterone hormone produced in a woman’s body during pregnancy. Blocking this hormone prevents the embryo from implanting or growing.
Next, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina.
The Risks of Medical Abortion
We want to share the common physical risks that come with medical abortion. According to the Mayo Clinic, possible risks may include:
Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn't work
Heavy and prolonged bleeding
Infection
Fever
Digestive system discomfort
It’s essential to know where your health stands before a major procedure, as medical abortion isn't an option if you:
Are too far along in your pregnancy
Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus, called an ectopic pregnancy
Have certain medical conditions, including bleeding disorders; certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder
Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines
Can't make follow-up visits to your provider or don't have access to emergency care
Have an allergy to the medicine used
First, Confirm Your Pregnancy
Before moving forward with a pregnancy decision, protect your health by being aware of your pregnancy details and alerting yourself to potential complications before moving forward.
Get this clarity with our no-cost and confidential pregnancy tests and limited ultrasounds to find answers. We offer options counseling if you’d like to learn more about abortion or your other options.
We’re here for you. Contact us to schedule an appointment.