What About The Abortion Pill???

An unexpected pregnancy can rip the rug out from under you. It may be tempting to make a snap decision out of fear, but it’s crucial to ask questions and get all the facts on your options to protect your health! We are here to listen and help. Get the care and support you deserve at the Pregnancy Care Clinic. We offer free pregnancy resources, so you can make an empowered decision for your unexpected pregnancy:

• FREE pregnancy testing, as well as free STD/STI testing and treatment
• FREE ultrasounds
• A safe, non-judgmental place to explore your pregnancy options and sort through your emotions

Let’s look at some frequently asked questions about the abortion pill, so that you can make a confident, educated decision regarding your unexpected pregnancy.

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

Although it’s referred to as a pill (singular), the abortion pill actually consists of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone is take first, usually in a clinic. This medication cuts the supply of the hormone progesterone to the embryo, which is needed to maintain the pregnancy. Without a steady supply of progesterone, the embryo stops growing. Misoprostol is take 24-48 hours later at home. This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the fetus, which ends the pregnancy.

How Late Can You Take the Abortion Pill?

You can take the abortion pill up to 10 weeks into the pregnancy (or 70 days since the first day of your last menstrual period). This is because it becomes less effective the farther along you are. If you take the abortion pill later on in your pregnancy, you could experience serious complications and may need emergency surgery to complete the procedure.

Do I Need an Ultrasound Before Taking the Abortion Pill?

It is always recommended to have an ultrasound done before any abortion procedure, even the abortion pill. This will tell you if the pregnancy is located in the uterus, how far along you are, and if the pregnancy appears to be viable. We provide free ultrasounds at the Pregnancy Care Clinic.

Do I Need a Prescription for the Abortion Pill? Can I Get the Abortion Pill Over the Counter?

The abortion pill is not available without a prescription in the state of Illinois.

Can I Order the Abortion Pill Online?

The FDA warns against ordering the abortion pill online, as it bypasses safety regulations designed to keep you safe. Many online abortion pill providers are located overseas, so the pills they provide may not be FDA-approved. These pills could be fake, expired, or even laced with harmful substances. It’s best to speak to a licensed medical professional first!

What are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

Like any medical procedure, there are risks and side effects associated with the abortion pill. Common side effects include:

• Spotting or bleeding that can last up to a month
• Headaches
• Abdominal cramping (caused by misoprostol)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea and digestive pain
• Chills
• Fever

More severe abortion pill side effects include:

• Allergic Reaction – although rare, it is possible to go into anaphylactic shock after taking vaginal misoprostol if you’re allergic to any ingredients in the medication.
• Hemorrhaging – it’s normal to bleed for a while after taking the abortion pill. However, if you soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour, for two or more hours, you could be hemorrhaging.
• Incomplete abortion – these occur when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after misoprostol has been taken. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove the remaining tissue and prevent infection.
• Infection – if you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever for more than 24 hours after taking the second medication, an infection may have developed. You may need antibiotics or even surgery to treat your condition.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – this is an infection of the female reproductive organs. The symptoms to be aware of include abdominal pain, irregular periods, nausea and vomiting, painful urination, painful sex, and unusual vaginal discharge.

Who Should Not Take the Abortion Pill?

As with any procedure, it’s important to discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe. A medical abortion isn’t a safe option if you:

• Are too far along in your pregnancy.
• Are allergic to the medications used.
• Have a pregnancy outside of your uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
• Use long-term corticosteroids.
• Have an intrauterine device (IUD), a medical abortion is an option if you have it removed.
• Have a blood clotting disorder, significant anemia or chronic adrenal failure.
• Don’t have access to emergency care.

This all may sound a bit frightening, but we believe you deserve to be aware of the risks and side effects of abortion, so you can make the best choice for your health and future. Call us today for help sorting out these issues. We care and you were not meant to go through this alone. We can help!

Sources
1.FDA. (2021, December 6). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
2.Texas Pro-Life Laws. Americans United for Life. (2022, November 10). Retrieved from https://aul.org/law-and-policy/state-spotlight/texas/
3.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, September 3). Slide Show: Fetal Ultrasound. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/multimedia/fetal-ultrasound/sls-20076294?s=3#
4.U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016, May 16). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
5.Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” Pub Med Central (PMC),9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
6.FDA. (2016). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf
7.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
8.Abortion Risks. Louisiana Department of Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ldh.la.gov/page/1063
9.Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Symptoms, Treatments & Causes. Cleveland Clinic. (2020, November 23). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9129-pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid