7 FAQs About The Abortion Pill!

The abortion pill is a medicine that ends pregnancy only in its early stages. In general the abortion pill is recommended to end the pregnancy within 63 days or 9 weeks after the first day of a woman’s last period. Medical name for the abortion pill is “mifepristone”.

1. Is the abortion pill work effectively?

Yes, medication abortion with the abortion pill is very effective. Out of 100 cases, the abortion pill works effective for 95-98 cases. After the abortion, you need to consult your health care provider to make sure that it worked and that you are well.

Few medicines used in the medication abortion cause serious birth defects if the pregnancy continues. If the abortion pill doesn’t work, then you need to undergo aspiration abortion to end your pregnancy.

2. How does the abortion pill work?

Most of the women feel nervous about having medication abortion or any kind of abortion procedures. You can also feel better once you know what to expect.

Before undergoing medication abortion, you will need to:

• Talk about other choices for abortion


• Tell your doctor about your medical history


• Undergo laboratory tests


• Have a physical exam, called as ultrasound


• Carefully read and sign the papers
  

Usually, medication abortion is the procedure that starts immediately after taking the abortion pill. It consists of three steps:

Step 1: Taking the abortion pill

Your doctor will give you the abortion pill at the clinic. He/she will also recommend some antibiotics to take after the abortion pill. Usually, the pill works by blocking the progesterone hormone. When we block the progesterone hormone, uterus lining breaks down and pregnancy cannot persist.

Step 2: Misoprostol

Misoprostol is the second medication that you will take during the abortion procedure. This second medicine should be taken within three days after taking the abortion pill. Your doctor will give complete instructions on how and when to take the second medicine.

Misoprostol causes cramping and heavy bleeding. Few women start bleeding before taking the second the medicine. But for most of the women bleeding begin only after taking the second pill. During the abortion procedure, you will observe larger blood clots and tissue.

Usually, most of the women abort within 4-5 hours after taking the second abortion pill, whereas some others take longer.

Normally, women experience slight bleeding or spotting for up to four weeks after undergoing the abortion.

Step 3: Follow-up

You will need to consult your doctor within two weeks after the abortion. Follow-up is essential in order to ensure that the abortion procedure is complete and you are well. Again you should undergo ultrasound and blood test.

In case if your pregnancy does not end, you will need to undergo aspiration abortion. Your health care provider will discuss the options with you.

3. How do I feel during the abortion procedure?

Along with bleeding and cramping, you will also experience:

• Nausea or vomiting


• Dizziness


• Strong cramping


• Temporary abdominal pain


• Diarrhea


• Temporary mild fever or chills
  

4. Is it safe to use the abortion pill?

Most of you can undergo the medication safely. But, any of the medical procedures have their own risks, so safety is a big concern.

Rare, but possible risks include:

• Allergic reaction to any of the pills


• Infection


• Bleeding heavily


• Incomplete abortion


• Undetected ectopic pregnancy
  

In most of the cases, these risks can be treated with medication or other treatments.

5. Are there any serious complications of abortion?

Serious complications may have warning signs. You should immediately call your health care provider if you experience any of the following signs:

• An unpleasant smelling discharge from your vagina


• Fever of 100.4°F or higher that persists for more than four hours


• Severe abdominal pain that cannot be cured by medications


• Blood clots for more than two hours and are bigger than a lemon


• Heavy bleeding


• Vomiting that persists for more than 4-6 hours


• symptoms that you are still pregnant
  

6. Does anyone take the abortion pill?

• Women more than 9 weeks pregnant


• Women who have a known or suspected molar pregnancy


• Women with severe heart, liver, adrenal gland, or kidney problems


• Women who take medicines that should not be combined with medications used in abortion procedure


• Women taking anti-clotting medicines or have any blood clotting disorders
  

7. What can I feel after using the abortion pill?

Your doctor will give you complete instruction about dos and don’ts after undergoing the abortion procedure. Women experience wide range of feelings after undergoing the abortion procedure. Most of you feel relief. But, some women feel guilt, anger, sadness, or regret for some time due to the sudden change of hormones.

Your menstrual cycle starts within 4-8 weeks after undergoing the abortion.

You should avoid the intercourse or inserting anything into your vagina for at least one week after the abortion. You will become pregnant immediately after undergoing the abortion. So, it is essential to use birth control. Discuss with your healthcare provider about which procedure is best for you.