Abortion pill

The term "abortion pill" is most commonly used to refer to the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol, which are taken to terminate a pregnancy in a developing baby.

Some people confuse the day after tomorrow pill or emergency contraception with the abortion pill. It's not the same thing.

Methotrexate is another abortion-related medication, possibly called the abortion pill. In any of these surveys, people interested in this drug are considering terminating their pregnancy.

If you're having an unplanned pregnancy, you're not alone! It is important to ask about the abortion pill to make sure you have all the information you need about your options. You can also ask questions about the possible medical, physical, and emotional side effects of an abortion, the abortion pill itself, and resources that can help you if you decide to keep your child, put him up for adoption, or continue with the abortion. pregnancy.

When should you take abortion pills?

Abortion pills are approved for pregnancy termination within the first 10 weeks after the last menstrual period. This means that the abortion pill can be taken for 70 days or just over 2 months after the first day of the last period.

If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant and considering an abortion, you need to consider surgical abortion options because the embryo is too developed for these medications to completely destroy it.

How effective are abortion pills?

Abortion pills are quite effective, they do not work in about 2-8% of cases. The earlier your pregnancy, the greater the chance of a successful abortion. An 8% higher failure rate is associated with the use of abortion drugs later in pregnancy and possibly outside the expected approval period.

Approximately 2 to 4 out of 100 people will find a failed abortion attempt with a continued pregnancy. The choice is yours: consider carrying a child to term and become a parent yourself or choose the child's parents through adoption; or return to the clinic for a second attempt at medical abortion or, more likely, a surgical option.

How does the abortion pill work?

The first step is to discuss your options, learn about the resources available to you, and learn more about medical abortion. From there, you will undergo a medical examination including the following:

Medical education
Laboratory work
Physical examination

After the medical examination, you will be asked to sign a liability waiver. Your abortion specialist should give you guidance explaining the process of taking medications and terminating a pregnancy. The three-step process of medical abortion includes the following:

Take Mifepristone: A medicine used to block the activity of progesterone. Progesterone is one of the pregnancy hormones that is essential for the ability of the uterus to support a pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks your body's ability to recognize progesterone in the uterus, causing the lining of the uterus to break down and ending the life of the developing embryo. If you change your mind about having an abortion and decide to carry your baby to term, you can reverse the effects of mifepristone with an abortion pill withdrawal protocol.
Take Misoprostol: This medication is taken to cause the uterus to contract and push out the embryo, embryo sac, and uterine lining, pushing the developing baby out. This process usually takes 24-48 hours and is often accompanied by heavy bleeding and severe uterine cramps.
Return to clinic: You will need to return to the clinic for a follow-up after 2 weeks to confirm whether the medical abortion was completely successful or not. *This is a very important step because if the abortion is not completed, any remaining part can cause infection and permanent scars.

How long does it take for an abortion to complete?

The second pill, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours after the first pill, mifepristone. About half experience the severe spasms and bleeding necessary to expel the embryo, uterine lining, and embryo sac within the first five hours. For most women, the expulsion is completed within a few days.

Your abortion specialist will usually recommend that you attend to the toilet to drain blood and fetal tissue. Your doctor will also schedule a follow-up visit to make sure the abortion is final.

This appointment usually occurs between 1 and 2 weeks after the start of the abortion process, but can last up to three weeks.

What to expect during a medical abortion?

After you take the second regimen, misoprostol, you should expect heavy bleeding, seizures, and possibly other symptoms.

Although there may be some bleeding before taking the second pill, in most cases, heavy bleeding and cramping occur after taking the second pill. Other symptoms or side effects that you may experience:

Dizziness
Intense cramping
Nausea (with or without vomiting)
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain separate from cramping
Mild fever or chills
Light lactation

Bleeding should mimic very heavy periods. You may also notice the passage of blood clots and body tissues. Avoid using a swab during this process and for a short time after stopping. It is best to use compresses at night to soak up the blood and expelled tissue.

You should start feeling better the next day and continue to improve every day after that, unless you are in the percentage of women who experience the adverse effects of an abortion attempt. If you have any of the physical risks listed below, contact your doctor immediately.

Why are abortion pills dangerous?

Like any procedure or medication, there are risks associated with the abortion pill. Although rare, an incomplete abortion poses a risk that can lead to a repeat procedure with additional side effects.

Other risks associated with medical abortion include:

An allergic reaction
Infection
Blood clots
Heavier bleeding than expected
A continued pregnancy

Although extremely rare, serious drug reactions can be fatal. An ectopic infection or pregnancy can be serious and even life-threatening. The abortion pill does NOT terminate or treat an ectopic pregnancy.

A Finnish study found a link between abortions and high mortality rates. Therefore, it is imperative that you contact your abortion provider if you experience any of the following concerns:

Excessive bleeding that fills more than two pads in one hour and continues for two or more hours.
Blood clots that occur over two or more hours
Nausea (with or without vomiting) for more than 24 hours
Diarrhea for more than 24 hours
Foul smelling discharge
Symptoms of pregnancy
Extreme depression or suicidal thoughts

When should my periods return?

Once the pregnancy is over, it is considered the end of the menstrual cycle. You should expect your period to return within the next two months. It is rare when menstruation is absent for more than two months.

Support after the abortion procedure

It is important that you consult with your doctor about your post-abortion treatment plan. Most advise you to wait at least a week before having sex. This may be extended up to two weeks depending on your situation.

If it was an unplanned pregnancy, you may need to abstain from sex again until you are ready for the outcome of the reproductive process. During the first month, ovulation and re-pregnancy are possible. Conception is possible if you have sex again, even within the first two weeks.

Cautions for those considering taking abortion pills

Abortion is a personal choice and, like all medical and surgical procedures, it comes with side effects.

You should be careful before taking abortion pills if:

You are past the 10-week window
You believe it is taking a baby’s life
You are morally opposed to abortion
Someone is forcing you to choose abortion
You will refuse a surgical abortion if the medication fails
You are taking blood clotting medication
You have a blood clotting condition
You are using an intrauterine device
You are emotionally unstable or have depression or anxiety

Emotional problems are more likely in those who believe they are ending their lives. It is important that you talk to a specialist about your views on abortion.

What about getting pregnant in the future?

Mifepristone and misoprostol are not considered harmful to future fertility. However, the long-term effects of these drugs have not been studied as extensively as surgical procedures.