A medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill method, sounds like an easy solution. You take a pill, and everything’s over. Right? Not exactly. The abortion pill involves taking two powerful drugs that have limitations.
We want to help protect your health and safety. Learn the facts about medical abortion, or if you would prefer to talk with someone, contact a team member at BsideU for Life today.
5 Facts You Should Know About the Abortion Pill
1. It’s Only Approved Through 10 Weeks of Pregnancy
The FDA approves the use of one of the drugs (mifepristone) through 10 weeks gestation only (70 days or less since the first day of a patient’s last menstrual period).
Why is there a limit? This drug becomes less effective the farther you are into your pregnancy. You run the risk of having an incomplete abortion. Incomplete means the drugs terminated the pregnancy, but not all of the pregnancy tissue left your body.
This can cause a serious infection.
2. The FDA Does Not Recommend Buying the Drug Online
The FDA highly regulates mifepristone. Only licensed healthcare providers can prescribe it. They do not recommend purchasing the drug online because you may be buying the drugs from foreign sources.
The FDA cannot review the drugs outside the U.S. drug supply chain for safety, effectiveness, and quality.
3. Some Women Have Experienced Serious Cramping and Bleeding
You can expect some abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding with every abortion procedure. Although every woman experiences an abortion differently, many women report unexpectedly severe pain.
One report found that some women described the pain as “out of this world.” One of the risks mentioned by the Mayo Clinic is heavy and prolonged bleeding. It’s essential to understand what to expect.
4. Not Everyone Can Take Abortion Drugs
In addition to listing some of the risks of medical abortion, the Mayo Clinic also lists the following as other reasons why you may not be eligible for the abortion pill:
- You have an IUD (intrauterine device) in place.
- You have a suspected ectopic pregnancy (this is a pregnancy located outside the uterus).
- You have certain medical conditions, including anemia, some bleeding disorders, chronic adrenal failure, particular heart or blood vessel diseases, severe liver, kidney, or lung disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- Take a blood thinner or specific steroid medicines.
- Have an allergy to the drugs used.
- Can’t reach a healthcare professional or don’t have access to emergency care.
5. You Should Confirm Your Pregnancy Before Taking the Drugs
Experts estimate that 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, it is possible to get a positive pregnancy test days or weeks after a miscarriage.
To confirm your pregnancy is viable (growing with a detectable heartbeat), you need an ultrasound. In addition to determining if your pregnancy is developing, an ultrasound detects how far along you are (if you’re in the 10-week time frame) and if it’s located in your uterus (not ectopic).
No-Cost Limited Ultrasounds
BsideU for Life understands how an unplanned pregnancy can be stressful. Let us help you confirm your pregnancy before you make a decision. Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we can give you the facts to protect your health and safety.
Contact us to schedule an appointment for no-cost pregnancy testing. If your test is positive, we can also provide a no-cost ultrasound. We’re here for you.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.