What Do I Need to Know About the Abortion Pill?

Finding out that you are pregnant when you were not planning on becoming pregnant can be a huge shock. You may feel panicked and wonder how you can “get out” of the situation that you are in. 

Upon a quick search you will likely discover the Abortion Pill as an option. Perhaps you have already heard about it through friends or media. When considering your options, it is important to understand what the Abortion Pill is, how it works, and the side effects that you may experience. 

In this article, we want to help provide you with accurate knowledge from multiple, trustworthy sources and provide you with some things to consider when considering the Abortion Pill as an option.

Does The Abortion Pill Have Other Nicknames?

The Abortion Pill is also commonly referred to as medication abortion, medical abortion, chemical abortion or Plan C. It is important to know that each of these terms are referencing the same process which involves taking medication to end a pregnancy.

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

Although the nickname the Abortion Pill gives the impression that there is only one pill involved in a medical abortion, there are actually two pills to be taken at separate times. 

The first pill to be taken consists of the drug Mifepristone which is a drug that blocks a hormone called progesterone.[1] Progesterone is needed for a pregnancy to continue, so once that hormone is blocked, the embryo or fetus cannot continue to grow or survive. 

The second pill consists of the drug misoprostol. Misoprostol causes contractions of the uterus which expels the contents of the uterus including the embryo or fetus and other pregnancy tissue.

How Long Does The Abortion Pill Take To Work? 

Once the second pill, misoprostol, is taken it typically takes 12 to 24 hours to pass the embryo or fetal tissue. However, bleeding will likely continue for 2 to 3 weeks after the embryo or fetus is expelled. 

You can expect heavier bleeding for one or two days after taking misoprostol.[2] Bleeding should lessen over the next two to three weeks.[3] The Cleveland Clinic recommends wearing a pad to gauge blood loss and blood clots so that you can share that information with your healthcare provider.[4]

How Do I Know If I Should Take The Abortion Pill?

Taking the Abortion Pill to end your pregnancy is a big decision. Even healthcare organizations or providers that you trust cannot and should not pressure you to make a decision regarding your pregnancy. You are the one who this decision affects the most, therefore it only makes sense that this decision is not made due to pressure from others. 

It is important that you take time to consider all options available to you and how they might affect your life long term. Seek advice from multiple sources so that you do not receive biased information regarding the Abortion Pill or what decision you should make.

Do I Need An Ultrasound Before Taking The Abortion Pill?

Yes. Having an ultrasound is very important before taking the Abortion Pill. An ultrasound will provide you with information on how far along you are in the pregnancy, which is vital to know since mifepristone is only approved for consumption up to 10 weeks gestation.[5] 

Taking the Abortion Pill after 10 weeks of pregnancy increases your risk for more serious side effects including[6][7]: 

• Part of the pregnancy remaining (incomplete abortion) and needing an operation to remove it 
• Heavy bleeding (which can cause additional complications or risks including death if hemorrhage occurs)
• Damage to the womb
• Infection (including sepsis which can lead to death if untreated).

There is also a small chance of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if a womb infection is left untreated which can increase the risk of infertility or an ectopic pregnancy later.[8]

Life Choice offers free ultrasounds performed by one of our Registered Nurses and reviewed by our medical director who is a board-certified and practicing OBGYN. Call Life Choice today to see if you qualify for a free ultrasound at 270-717-5433. 

Sources

1. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (n.d.). Questions and answers on mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy through ten weeks gestation. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
2. Cleveland Clinic. (Medically Reviewed 2024, January 16). Medical abortion. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion
3. See source #2.
4. See source #2.
5. See source #1.
6. National Health Service. (2024, December 5). Risks of an abortion. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/risks/
7. Cleveland Clinic. (Medically Reviewed 2024, April 24). Hemorrhage. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/hemorrhage
8. See source #6.