Understanding all options for your unplanned pregnancy allows you to make an educated decision. If you’re considering taking the abortion pill (aka medical abortion), you can safeguard your health by learning about the risks involved.
This can be a time full of questions and uncertainty. At La Luz Women’s Center, you’ll get your questions answered and learn more about your options.
Make a no-cost, confidential appointment to learn more.
Understanding the Abortion Pill
Despite the name, the abortion pill consists of two drugs that end a pregnancy. Mifepristone, the first drug, blocks a hormone called progesterone. Progesterone is needed to help the pregnancy develop, so without it, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine lining and ends.
Misoprostol, the second drug, causes the uterus to contract. These contractions expel the pregnancy and related tissues from the body.
Like all medical procedures, the abortion pill has side effects and risks. If you opt for this abortion method, you’ll have abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Other side effects can vary, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, and chills.
When you take these abortion drugs, certain risks are involved. These include:
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
- Infection
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- Incomplete abortion (which may need surgical treatment)
- An incomplete abortion happens when some of the pregnancy tissue remains in your body after an abortion. Without necessary treatment, this condition can cause complications like sepsis.
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)
Another risk to consider is taking the abortion drugs past the advised gestational age. These drugs are FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation. Taking them after this period isn’t recommended because you could have more severe side effects or a complication.
When To Seek Medical Help
If you’ve taken abortion drugs, you may wonder how to tell when something is amiss. Listening to your body is crucial. If something feels “off,” seek immediate medical care.
You should visit an emergency room if you have any of the following:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
How To Protect Your Health
If you’re considering abortion, you should always speak to a healthcare provider first. They can review your medical history and determine whether you have any factors making you ineligible for the procedure, such as allergies to the drugs used or certain bleeding disorders.
You may be offered a limited ultrasound if you’ve received a positive result from one of La Luz Women’s Center’s medical-grade pregnancy tests. This scan will confirm whether your pregnancy is in the uterus, whether there is cardiac activity, and how far along you are.
Learn more about your pregnancy to protect your health. We’re here to answer your questions in a safe, confidential environment.
Make a no-cost appointment today. Or you can call (505) 620-3894.
