If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering your options, you may wonder what a medical abortion is.
A medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, is a series of drugs taken in pill form to end a pregnancy.
However, there are limitations to medical abortion and some risks, so you will want to ensure you have all the facts before making a decision.
How Does a Medical Abortion Work?
A medical abortion uses two different drugs to terminate a healthy pregnancy.
The first drug taken is mifepristone, and it is often administered at the abortion provider’s office. This drug blocks your body from utilizing the progesterone the body produces to support a pregnancy. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot grow and will detach from the uterine wall.
Within 48 hours, the second drug is then taken. This drug is called misoprostol, and it causes your uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy out of the body through the vagina.
Risks and Limitations to Medical Abortion
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several known risks associated with medical abortion and include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
There are also limitations to medical abortion, the first being that the FDA only recommends the procedure in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. A medical abortion can also not be used in the case of an ectopic pregnancy(a serious condition that requires immediate medical intervention), or if you currently have an IUD in place.
Get the Answers You Need
Before proceeding with a medical abortion, you need to get all the facts you can about your pregnancy to protect your health and future.
That starts with getting an ultrasound scan of your pregnancy. An ultrasound will provide valuable information for you, letting you know the age of your pregnancy, confirm you do not have an ectopic pregnancy, and that your pregnancy is viable.
Knowing this information will empower you to make the best decision for your body and future.
We’re Here to Help
The trained staff at Options Care Center offers you pre-abortion screening at no charge. This free appointment includes an ultrasound scan.
We can also listen to all your questions and help you understand all the options you have available to you in dealing with your unplanned pregnancy.
It’s your body and your future—so you deserve to get all the facts you need to make the best decision.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.
