If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, you may be trying to make sense of a lot at once. You might be wondering how the abortion pill works or what could happen after taking it.
Taking time to understand your pregnancy and learning what a medical abortion involves can help you ask better questions and make a decision based on your own circumstances rather than from pressure or fear.
Carolina Pregnancy Center is here to provide information about your pregnancy and the options available to you. We also offer free medical-grade pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy details.
Schedule your confidential appointment. We are here to help you.
The Abortion Pill Is Only Approved Through Ten Weeks
The abortion pill involves two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks a hormone called progesterone, which supports the continuation of pregnancy. The second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through cramping and bleeding.
The FDA has approved the abortion pill for ending a pregnancy through 10 weeks of gestation.
Knowing how far along you are is therefore important. A limited ultrasound can estimate how many weeks along you are, also known as your gestational age. Estimating how far along you are can be difficult, especially if your periods are irregular.
Taking the abortion pill outside the recommended timeframe may increase the risk of complications, including an incomplete abortion, when the pregnancy does not fully pass.
The FDA Warns Against Ordering the Abortion Pill Online
You may have seen websites offering to send abortion drugs directly to your home. However, the FDA warns against purchasing the abortion pill from unverified or unapproved sources.
Drugs from an unregulated website may be counterfeit, expired, improperly stored, or contain the wrong ingredients. You may also have no opportunity for an in-person medical evaluation or follow-up care, making it harder to identify health concerns or get help if complications occur.
There Are Risks and Complications to Be Aware Of
The abortion pill can cause side effects such as cramping, bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and headache.
Possible complications include:
- Heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Incomplete abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy
Side effects vary from woman to woman but can be more severe than expected, with some women in the study reporting ‘out of this world’ pain.
Get Your Important Pregnancy Details
A positive pregnancy test can tell you that you’re pregnant, but there’s still a lot you may not know. You may be wondering how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is developing, or the location of the pregnancy.
That’s where a limited ultrasound can provide information that a pregnancy test cannot. It may also identify concerns such as an ectopic pregnancy, which develops outside the uterus and requires medical care.
At Carolina Pregnancy Center, we will never judge or rush you into making a pregnancy decision. Our door is open, whether you need our free pregnancy services or more information about your options and the support available.
Contact us to make your appointment.
Carolina Pregnancy Center does not perform or refer for abortions.
