What is a Medical Abortion?
Also known as the abortion pill, a medical abortion is a method that works to terminate an existing pregnancy. It uses two different drugs to go about this process. There are risks and side effects to consider before making your decision.
At Hope Clinic for Women, we offer free pregnancy confirmation to safeguard your health and help you make an informed decision. You are not alone.
How Does Medical Abortion Work?
A medical abortion is FDA-approved through ten weeks of gestation. First, mifepristone works to block progesterone. Second, misoprostol causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy and related tissue from the body.
Common side effects women may experience include headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. Some potential risks of this type of abortion procedure include:
- Infection
- Fever
- Incomplete abortion (which may require surgical treatment)
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)
- Digestive discomfort
First, Get an Ultrasound
After confirming your pregnancy with a pregnancy test, it’s important not to skip an ultrasound to get the clarity you need about your pregnancy details. An obstetrical ultrasound will confirm critical details, including:
- Viability: Determine whether your pregnancy is growing normally or you’ve had a miscarriage. Up to 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, which may require monitoring or additional treatment.
- Gestational age: Knowing how far along you are can clarify your pregnancy options.
- Location: Sometimes, an ectopic pregnancy can result. This occurs when the fertilized egg implants in a location other than the uterus. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
Free Pregnancy Services
First, begin with a free and confidential pregnancy test appointment with us to confirm you are indeed pregnant. We’re here to help you along the way.
If your pregnancy is far enough along, our licensed and credentialed medical team may offer an OB Ultrasound. We recommend a limited obstetrical ultrasound to additionally confirm the pregnancy.
Our caring team is here to help you explore all your options and feel informed to make a confident decision for your future.