Understanding Abortion Pills: What You Need to Know
If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy and thinking about abortion, it’s crucial to understand how abortion pills work and what risks they carry. Knowing the facts will help you evaluate your options and make an informed decision about your next steps.
Our centers provide clear information and support as you navigate your options.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill process uses two drugs. The first, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone, the hormone needed to sustain a pregnancy.
The second, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and push out the pregnancy tissue. This process involves vaginal bleeding and cramping.
Abortion Drugs Are Only Approved Through 10 Weeks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the abortion pill for use only through 10 weeks of pregnancy. After this point, the drugs are less effective, and the chance of complications increases.
Before considering this option, confirming how far along you are is recommended. An ultrasound is the only reliable way to determine gestational age, check that the pregnancy is located in the uterus, and see if it is developing.
The Abortion Pill Has Side Effects
It’s important to know what you may experience before you decide to take the abortion pill. Common side effects include:
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fever or chills
The level of pain and bleeding resulting from the abortion pill varies from woman to woman. You’ll need access to emergency care in case health complications arise.
Health Risks of the Abortion Pill
Like any medical procedure, abortion drugs carry risks. These include:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive issues
- Incomplete abortion (when tissue remains in the uterus and further treatment is needed)
Certain pre-existing conditions can make you ineligible for the abortion pill. This can include women who are on certain medications, have bleeding disorders, or have a pregnancy located outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
Before moving forward, talking with a medical professional about your health history is important.
Confidential Support is Available
While our Colorado Springs Pregnancy Centers do not provide or refer for abortions, we can provide you with accurate information about abortion in a non-judgmental environment. Our centers offer medical screenings before abortion so you can carefully evaluate your next steps. We offer these services at no cost to you.
Please schedule your appointment at our location closest to you today. We’re here to support you.
Our centers do not provide or refer for abortions.
Abortion information cited in this blog was accurate at the time of publishing.
Medical Screening Before An Abortion
A positive result on a pregnancy test isn’t enough. Get the information you need before scheduling an abortion. We can provide this screening for you at no cost.
Pregnancy Testing
Even if you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, be confident you got the correct result with our free pregnancy testing service. You’ll have your test result during your appointment that day.
Ultrasounds
You need to know how far along you are in your pregnancy, if your pregnancy is viable (growing), and its location. Critical information you can only get with an ultrasound.
Medical Screening Before An Abortion
A positive result on a pregnancy test isn’t enough. Get the information you need before scheduling an abortion. We can provide this screening for you at no cost.
Pregnancy Testing
Even if you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, be confident you got the correct result with our free pregnancy testing service. You’ll have your test result during your appointment that day.
Ultrasounds
You need to know how far along you are in your pregnancy, if your pregnancy is viable (growing), and its location. Critical information you can only get with an ultrasound.
