What Is a Medical Abortion?

There are two types of abortion: medical (also known as the “abortion pill”) and surgical. While a surgical abortion involves medical instruments entering your body to remove the pregnancy, a medical abortion involves taking powerful drugs to terminate and expel the pregnancy from your body.

If you’re thinking about taking the abortion drugs, it’s vital to learn all you can to ensure you’re making an informed decision for yourself. This will help protect not only your physical health but your mental health as well. (Studies have found that if you feel pressured into an abortion, you’re more likely to suffer adverse mental health outcomes afterward.)

This article will explore the essentials you need to know about medical abortion. But if you’re looking to talk to someone about your pregnancy options or learn more about free resources that are available to help, contact First Concern Pregnancy Resource Center today to schedule a free, confidential appointment.

How Does a Medical Abortion Work?

Two powerful drugs are part of the medical abortion process.

The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone in your body. Without this essential pregnancy hormone, your uterine lining will loosen and shed, which ultimately causes your pregnancy to be starved of nutrients and end.

The second drug, misoprostol, causes your uterus to contract, which expels the pregnancy from your uterus and out through your vagina.

How Might I Feel After Taking the Abortion Drugs?

Vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping will invariably occur after taking the abortion drugs.

Some women report that the pain they experience after taking the drugs is unexpectedly severe and debilitating.

You might also experience the following side effects:

Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Chills
Diarrhea
Headache

What Are the Risks of a Medical Abortion?

Risks of a medical abortion are rare but can be life-threatening.

The primary risk associated with abortion drugs is an incomplete abortion, which is when parts of the terminated pregnancy remain in your uterus. This can lead to a severe infection, pain, and heavy bleeding.

How Can I Protect My Health?

The abortion drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or under. If you attempt to take these drugs and you’re further along, you are more likely to experience a risk. This is why it’s critical to determine your pregnancy’s gestational age before making any pregnancy decision.

Ultrasound is the number one way to find out your pregnancy’s gestational age. This simple scan will also give you other key details you need to know about your pregnancy to stay safe.

At First Concern Pregnancy Resource Center, we offer free, limited onsite ultrasound referrals because we believe that every woman deserves to have the information she needs to make an informed decision and stay healthy.

*The Marlborough location provides pregnancy testing and ultrasounds. The Clinton location provides other resources, support, and education.