The abortion pill method is also known as a medical, medication, or chemical abortion. It uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy.
Like any major medical procedure, taking the abortion drugs comes with risks. Recent findings indicate that the physical dangers are much greater than previously reported.
Since you complete a medical abortion in your home, you must understand what might occur. Learn about the side effects to expect and the potential physical and emotional consequences.
Who Shouldn’t Take the Abortion Pill?
To understand the abortion pill process, read an earlier blog, “What Is the Abortion Pill?”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a medical abortion (the abortion pill) isn’t a safe option if any of the following reasons apply:
- You are too far along in your pregnancy. The FDA approves the drugs only through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. This is because the drugs are less effective the farther along you are.
- If you are allergic to either mifepristone or misoprostol, the drugs used in this procedure.
- You cannot use the drugs if you have an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus and can be extremely dangerous.
- If you use long-term corticosteroids, which are taken for a variety of conditions, such as asthma, eczema, and arthritis.
- You cannot use the abortion pill method if you have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place.
- If you have a blood-clotting disorder, significant anemia, or chronic adrenal failure.
- If you don’t have access to emergency care.
How Do I Learn About Some of the Above?
The easiest way to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy and if the pregnancy is ectopic is with an ultrasound. An ultrasound can also detect if your pregnancy is developing or if you have had a miscarriage.
Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. The majority of miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks. It’s possible to get a positive pregnancy test after a miscarriage because it takes days or weeks for your body to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels.
What Are the Dangers?
A recent report claimed that almost 11% of women using the abortion pill method had serious adverse events like infection and severe bleeding. That is 22 times higher than the “less than 0.5%” reported in the clinical trials.
In addition, many women report extreme pain during the process. In one study, the women said the pain was “out of this world.”
You should also be aware of the potential emotional impacts of an abortion. Some women express regret, guilt, shame, and anxiety.
Start With Testing And an Ultrasound at PCS Health
If you’re considering the abortion pill for your unexpected pregnancy, come to PCS Health first. We offer free and confidential pregnancy testing. If your test result is positive, we’ll schedule a free limited ultrasound scan.
Get as much information as possible about your pregnancy and the abortion pill method. We can discuss your situation and find the solution that’s right for you.
Call or text us, or schedule an appointment using our online contact form. We are always here for you.
PCS Health does not perform or refer for abortion.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.