What Are the Risks of the Abortion Pill?
Some women choose to end their pregnancy with the abortion pill because it seems safer and more convenient than surgical abortion. However, the abortion pill carries some of the same risks as surgical abortion.
Keep reading to learn about the risks of the abortion pill so you can make an informed decision.
What is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill is also referred to as a medical abortion. It involves taking two drugs to end the pregnancy.
Mifepristone, the first drug, is usually taken at a medical facility. This drug blocks progesterone, a hormone the body needs to support a pregnancy, to discontinue the pregnancy.
Within 48 hours of taking the first drug, a woman takes misoprostol. Misoprostol works by causing the uterus to contract (squeeze). This squeezing forces the pregnancy out of the woman’s body.
Common Side Effects
When taking the abortion pill, a woman can expect the following side effects:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Risks of the Abortion Pill
Like every medical procedure, the abortion pill has risks that vary by situation. Being aware of the risks is essential to protecting your health. Risks of medical abortion can include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Women taking the abortion pill are sent home to recover, so they will need to monitor themselves for signs and symptoms of complications from the procedure. A woman must seek immediate medical attention if she has any of the following symptoms:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Learn More
At New Hope Pregnancy Center, we offer free consultations so you can learn more about the options available to you. Schedule an appointment online today.
Pregnancy Tests
Your first step is to take a pregnancy test and verify you really are pregnant. Although you may have taken a pregnancy test at home, you will want to follow up with a lab-quality test. New Hope Center’s tests are free and 99.9% accurate, and our staff provides immediate confidential results.
Ultrasounds
If you’ve recently had a positive pregnancy test, the next step is to have an ultrasound. These are offered free of charge at New Hope Center. No matter what you’re considering for your unplanned pregnancy, an ultrasound provides essential information about your body and your health.
Motherhood Classes
New Hope Center offers free parenting resources to women faced with unexpected pregnancies. We know that the number one concern for most parents facing unexpected pregnancy is finances. We hope to provide for some of those needs by offering material support.
Pregnancy Tests
Your first step is to take a pregnancy test and verify you really are pregnant. Although you may have taken a pregnancy test at home, you will want to follow up with a lab-quality test. New Hope Center’s tests are free and 99.9% accurate, and our staff provides immediate confidential results.
Ultrasounds
If you’ve recently had a positive pregnancy test, the next step is to have an ultrasound. These are offered free of charge at New Hope Center. No matter what you’re considering for your unplanned pregnancy, an ultrasound provides essential information about your body and your health.
Motherhood Classes
New Hope Center offers free parenting resources to women faced with unexpected pregnancies. We know that the number one concern for most parents facing unexpected pregnancy is finances. We hope to provide for some of those needs by offering material support.
