Are you considering abortion for your unplanned pregnancy? If so, you are asking the right question. It’s vital to know what a medical abortion involves and if there are any risks to be aware of. There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. A medical abortion involves taking drugs. Let’s take a closer look.
How Does a Medical Abortion Work?
A medical abortion goes by several names: the abortion pill, medication abortion, and chemical abortion. When a woman has a medical abortion, she takes two powerful drugs over a 24 to 48-hour period to terminate her pregnancy.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone. All pregnancies require progesterone to develop and grow. Without it, a pregnancy cannot survive.
Misoprostol, the second drug, causes bleeding and contractions to expel the pregnancy from the woman’s body. Some women report severe contractions after taking this drug.
Are There Limitations?
The FDA approves the use of the mifepristone drug for pregnancies up to ten weeks only (70 days past the first day of a woman’s last period). The farther along your pregnancy is, the less effective the drug.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following are reasons you shouldn’t have a medical abortion:
- You’re too far along in your pregnancy
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place
- Have an ectopic pregnancy
- Have certain medical conditions
- Take a blood thinner
- Can’t reach a healthcare professional or don’t have access to an ER
- Have an allergy to the drugs
Are There Risks?
The Mayo Clinic also lists the following risks:
- An incomplete abortion (where the body doesn’t release all the pregnancy tissue)
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
How Can the Pregnancy Resource Center Help Me?
We are a resource for women facing an unplanned pregnancy. We provide material support, education, emotional support, and a listening ear. Our goal is to empower you to make the very best decision for your future.
Although we do not perform or refer for abortions, if you would like to know more about procedures and potential risks, contact us. We can also discuss your pregnancy options and how we can help you.
Fill out our confidential online appointment form or call (910) 997-3040. We’re here for you.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.