Did your heart drop when you got that positive pregnancy test result?
Maybe you feel like having an abortion will help your life get back to the way it used to be.
While mail-order abortion may seem like a quick and easy option, the FDA advises against seeking these drugs online. The abortion drugs you can find online are not FDA-approved, which means the FDA can’t guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of the drugs.
However, even if you’re considering seeking the abortion drugs from a clinic, it’s critical to learn all you can about these powerful drugs.
What is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill, formally referred to as medical abortion, is a series of drugs used to terminate a pregnancy.
First, mifepristone is taken to block the hormone progesterone, which causes the pregnancy to detach from the uterine lining.
Misoprostol is taken next, and it causes uterine contractions, leading to the expulsion of the pregnancy through the vagina.
Who is Eligible to Take the Abortion Pill?
Both your unique pregnancy and your health history determine if you are eligible for the abortion pill.
Before taking the abortion pill, a medical provider should use an ultrasound to confirm the age and location of your pregnancy.
According to the FDA, the abortion pill should not be used after 10 weeks of pregnancy. Additionally, you are not eligible for the abortion pill if your pregnancy is outside the uterus, also known as an ectopic pregnancy.
Along with receiving an ultrasound, it is vital to discuss your health history with a medical provider before having an abortion.
You are ineligible for medical abortion if you:
- Have an IUD (intrauterine device)
- Have certain medical conditions, including bleeding disorders, certain heart, and blood vessel diseases, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, or uncontrolled seizure disorder
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- Can’t make follow-up visits or don’t have access to emergency care
- Have an allergy to the medicine used
Being Aware of Risks and Signs of Complications
Having an abortion is a serious medical decision, and there is no way to know how your body will respond.
Possible risks of the abortion pill include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by a surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience foul-smelling vaginal discharge, a fever lasting more than 24 hours, severe abdominal or back pain, or soak through two pads per hour for two hours.
Get the Help You Deserve
Experiencing an unplanned pregnancy can feel isolating, but you are not alone. Options Care Center is here to help.
We can provide you with a lab-quality pregnancy test and follow-up ultrasound at no cost. After discovering more about your pregnancy, the trusted medical staff can answer your questions and help you learn more about your options.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment.
