Researching your options after an unexpected pregnancy can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to something as significant as medical abortion. There’s a lot of information out there, and not all of it is complete. Here are some things that often get overlooked, and why they matter for your health.
At 1st Way Pregnancy Support Center, we provide free, confidential appointments so you can get accurate information in a supportive setting. Schedule today and come with your questions.
#1: Two Drugs Are Used
Medical abortion involves two drugs. Mifepristone, taken first, blocks the hormone progesterone, which a pregnancy needs to continue. Misoprostol follows, causing the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. [1]
What many women don’t realize is that most of this happens at home, without a medical professional present. That means you are largely responsible for monitoring your own symptoms and knowing when something requires urgent attention.
#2: Pain and Side Effects Can Catch You Off Guard
Cramping and bleeding will occur as the drugs end and expel the pregnancy, but the intensity can be more significant than many women anticipate. [2]
Beyond that, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and headache are all common side effects. [3]
Because every woman’s body responds differently, follow-up care isn’t optional. It’s how you confirm the process is complete and that no complications, such as infection or incomplete abortion, have developed.
#3: Online Pills Come with Unverifiable Risks
Some women consider obtaining abortion pills online to avoid going through a provider. This carries real dangers. Many online sources ship from foreign countries where quality, dosage accuracy, and storage conditions can’t be confirmed.
The FDA strictly regulates mifepristone, and only certified providers are authorized to prescribe it. It’s not recommended to purchase abortion drugs online, as those from unverified sources may not be what they claim to be. [4]
#4: A Positive Test Alone Isn’t Enough Information
Before considering the abortion pill, there are things a pregnancy test simply cannot tell you.
An ultrasound is needed to confirm that the pregnancy is located in the uterus and not ectopic, to verify how far along you are since the FDA approves the abortion pill only through 10 weeks of gestation, and to determine whether the pregnancy is still progressing or a miscarriage has already occurred. [5] [6] [7]
Please call us to find out whether you qualify for a free ultrasound performed by our registered sonographers. Getting this information first is one of the most important steps you can take. We also offer pre-abortion screenings so you can get all your questions answered and ensure you’re making a decision based on facts.
Schedule your free, confidential appointment today. We’re here to help you understand the full picture.
1st Way Pregnancy Support Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
[1] “Medical Abortion.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
[2] Haugstad, Gro Killi, et al. “Out of This World’: Norwegian Women’s Experiences of Medical Abortion Pain.” PMC, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9494394.
[3] “Medical Abortion.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
[4] “Information About Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks of Gestation.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation.
[5] “Ectopic Pregnancy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088.
[6] “Information About Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks of Gestation.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation.
[7] Dugas, Carla, and Valori H. Slane. “Miscarriage.” StatPearls, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532992.
