The Abortion Pill
Considering the abortion pill? Get the facts to help you decide if it’s the right option for you.
Before Taking the Abortion Pill
Understand the Facts
Unplanned pregnancy can be a huge and overwhelming experience. There’s a lot to consider. Before making a decision, you’ll want to make sure you are informed of all of the options and risks.
Our team at Community Pregnancy Clinics is here to help you understand the facts on abortion and the abortion pill in a personalized, comfortable, and judgment-free space.
What Is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill, commonly referred to as “medical abortion”, is an abortion method that is available in the early stages of pregnancy (within the first 10 weeks). Instead of using an invasive surgery, the abortion pill process uses 2 different pills/medications, which are typically taken 24-48 hours apart and work together to terminate the pregnancy.
The first dose of the abortion pill is taken to block the hormone progesterone, which is needed in order to maintain and grow a healthy pregnancy. The second medication is then taken to induce early labor, causing cramping and bleeding, which expels the embryo and pregnancy tissues from the uterus.
Abortion Pill Side Effects
Side effects of taking the abortion pill include those similar to a miscarriage, which can last for an average of two weeks.
- Cramping and heavy bleeding with large clots
- Spotting that can last for several days or weeks after taking the medication
- Upset stomach (including nausea and/or diarrhea)
- Dizziness and fatigue
- Fever or chills (you’ll want to call your doctor right away if you experience a fever, as it could be a sign of infection)
Other risks include:
- The pill not working
- Blood clots in your uterus
- Infection and sepsis
- Some of the pregnancy tissues left in the uterus after the procedure is complete
- Bleeding too much or too long
- An allergic reaction to one or both of the medications
Hear from Dr. Brent Boles, a practicing, board-certified OB/GYN for nearly three decades, and the Medical Director for Heartbeat International as he speaks about what you need to know before you take the Abortion Pill.
Abortion Pill Cost
The cost of the abortion pill can vary. The state you are in and the abortion clinic or medical facility where you purchase the pill from will impact the cost as well as whether or not health insurance can be used. The average cost for the abortion pill in the state of Florida is around $500.
Some abortion clinics may require pre-abortion testing, ultrasounds or other requirements to be completed before offering any abortion services. If so, there may be additional costs associated as well.
Are Online Abortion Pills Safe?
Abortion pills have become more widely available and can be ordered from online pharmacies, however it is strongly recommended that, if you are considering the abortion pill, you look to obtaining it from a physical location you know and trust .
While it is possible, ordering the abortion pill online comes with significant risks, such as:
- Increased potential to receive low quality medications
Sub-standard medications or the possibility of unexpected ingredients are increased when purchasing from an unknown online source.
- Misjudging your due date
The FDA has approved the use of the abortion pill for ending pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestation. Taking the abortion pill any further along could result in an incomplete abortion or other complications.
- Ectopic pregnancy
Having a pre- abortion ultrasound completed not only helps to date your pregnancy, but also helps to ensure the pregnancy is viable and is not an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that is growing outside of the uterus). An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and can be extremely dangerous if not treated immediately. The abortion pill is not effective in ending an ectopic pregnancy.
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Importance of STI Testing Before Abortion Pill
Before making the decision to take the abortion pill, you will want to make sure that you do not have an active STI as an infection can increase the risk of complications. These complications could include:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Abortion may lead to an increased risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) while infected with Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection. Symptoms and side effects of PID can include future infertility, abscesses, and chronic pain.
- Increased Infertility: Infections caused by the abortion pill can lead to uterine scarring, which can cause future infertility and ectopic pregnancies. As you decide if the abortion pill is right for you, it’s important to take time to consider this risk and evaluate your future family plans.
