This is a great question to ask, considering you take the abortion pill at home. You need to be aware of how much bleeding and cramping are too much and when it’s time to contact emergency services.
The abortion pill method is also known as a medical, chemical, or medication abortion. You typically take two drugs to end a pregnancy.
Schedule an appointment at your nearest Willowbrook Women’s Center location. Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we can give you factual, medically based information about the procedure and the physical and emotional risks. Let’s take a closer look at the side effects to expect.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill doesn’t end your pregnancy with just one pill. This method typically uses a series of two drugs over a 24 to 48-hour period.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone from reaching the pregnancy. Without progesterone, a pregnancy cannot continue to grow, so it ends.
Misoprostol, the second drug, causes bleeding and contractions to remove the pregnancy and tissue from your body.
To protect your health, the FDA approves the use of abortion drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy only. The FDA does not recommend buying mifepristone online and only allows certified providers to prescribe the drug.
What Are the Side Effects?
All abortions involve a measure of bleeding and cramping. However, some women report feeling severe contractions. One woman’s study said the pain was “out of this world.”
The Mayo Clinic lists the following as other side effects of the abortion pill regimen:
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Every woman responds to an abortion differently, and it’s impossible to say ahead of time what you will experience.
When Should I Be Concerned?
You also need to know when to contact your provider or head to an emergency room.
Experts say the following symptoms may require medical attention after taking the abortion pill:
- No bleeding 24 hours after taking misoprostol
- Severe bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Sign of an infection (foul-smelling vaginal discharge)
- You don’t get your period after two months
- Signs of pregnancy
What More Do I Need to Know?
Contact Willowbrook to schedule a no-cost and confidential pre-abortion screening. There’s more to know about your pregnancy and the abortion pill regimen.
We want to protect your health and safety, so call your nearest Willowbrook Women’s Center today. We’re here for you.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
