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What Is The Abortion Pill?

What Is The Abortion Pill?

You’ve likely heard of the abortion pill. It’s a termination method for early pregnancies and is less invasive than surgical abortion.

But you may not know very many details about the pill. If you’re considering an abortion for your unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to be fully informed on all of your options and the various abortion procedures.

Here’s a breakdown of the abortion pill, what it does, side effects, risks, and outcomes so you can decide for yourself if it’s right for you.

So What Exactly Is It?

The abortion pill is actually a series of two drugs taken at different times to cause an end to your early pregnancy. It’s designed to end pregnancies during the first 70 days of gestation.

The first drug, mifepristone, is prescribed and taken at the abortion clinic. It causes fetal demise by blocking your body’s production of progesterone. This thins the lining of your uterus, meaning the fetus can no longer remain implanted.

The second drug, misoprostol, is prescribed by the doctor but is most often taken at home at least 24 hours after taking mifepristone. It causes cramping and contractions so your body can expel the pregnancy.

Does It Have Side Effects?

Yes, like any other prescription medication, RU-486 does have side effects. Each person may experience some or all, and may also experience them to varying degrees of intensity. 

These are the following side effects of the abortion pill:

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Headache

  • Fever

  • Dizziness

  • Abdominal pain

  • Cramping

  • Bleeding

What Are the Risks?

In addition to side effects, the pill(s) also comes with a number of risks. 

Abortion pill risks include:

  • Allergic reaction to one of the drugs in the medication

  • Incomplete abortion

  • Pregnancy tissue being left in your uterus

  • Blood clots in your uterus

  • Heavy and prolonged bleeding

  • Infection

  • Death

It’s important to be aware of those risks before choosing to take the abortion pill to terminate your pregnancy.

What Should I Do Before Taking It?

Schedule an ultrasound.

Before taking the abortion pill, it’s important to have an ultrasound. This will help you understand how far along your pregnancy is and therefore if you’re eligible for the abortion pill. Additionally, an ultrasound will reveal whether the pregnancy is inside your uterus; if not, your pregnancy is ectopic and will require a different medical procedure. 

Schedule a Free Ultrasound

We provide free ultrasounds at First Coast Women’s Services as well as information on all your pregnancy outcome options so you can make an informed and empowered decision. Contact us today to schedule your free appointment and get the answers you need.