An unplanned pregnancy means you have a big decision to make.
If you are considering the abortion pill method, be sure you know the side effects and potential risks first. Since you do not have physician oversight, it’s vital to know what to expect.
Although we do not provide or refer for abortion, we do provide accurate, evidence-based information about the procedure and what to watch for.
What Is an At-Home Abortion?
The abortion pill method is a medical abortion because it uses drugs to terminate a pregnancy. You take two drugs in your home or a private location over a 24 to 48-hour period.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone causing the uterine lining to thin. Without progesterone, a pregnancy cannot survive. Misoprostol, the second drug, causes abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding to expel the pregnancy from the body through the vagina.
The FDA highly regulates mifepristone. They recommend not using the drug past 10 weeks of pregnancy (70 days from the first day of your last menstrual period). The effectiveness of this drug decreases the farther along you are.
Is an At-Home Abortion Safe?
Abortion is a significant physical and emotional decision. Some of the physical risks of the abortion pill method include:
- An incomplete abortion which may need to be followed by a surgical procedure
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Fever
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Infection
- Digestive system discomfort
How Will I Know if There is a Problem?
According to the Mayo Clinic, you shouldn’t attempt a medical abortion if you can’t make follow-up visits to your abortion provider or you don’t have access to emergency care.
Because there is a possibility of an incomplete abortion, you need to know if the drugs expelled all the pregnancy tissue from your body. If it doesn’t, you run the risk of severe infection.
The following are symptoms that require physician intervention:
- 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
Is it Safe to Order the Drugs Online?
In addition to cautioning you about when to use the drugs, the FDA warns you not to purchase them online. Many sites promise safe drugs at cheaper prices, but you may not know where the drugs come from or if they are the right drugs.
Without FDA oversight, you could get an incorrect dosage or an inferior product.
What Should I Do?
Because you are asking these questions, you’re off to a good start. Set up an appointment with a team member at Next Step Pregnancy Solutions. All of our services are no-cost and confidential.
We can discuss your situation and look at your options. Plus, we’ll answer any additional questions you may have about the abortion pill method.
Make an appointment for pregnancy services and support today. We’re here for you.