A medical abortion is one method for ending a pregnancy. If you have an unplanned pregnancy and are contemplating this option for yourself, it’s crucial to learn the side effects and risks before deciding. Your safety should always be the top priority.
New Hope Center doesn’t provide or refer for abortions, but we’ll ensure you have all the information needed to decide. Make a free and confidential appointment today to learn more.
Continue reading to get the facts on medical abortion.
How Medical Abortion Ends a Pregnancy
Medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy, most commonly mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone is taken first, and it blocks a hormone called progesterone. Without progesterone, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine lining and ends.
Second, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract. These contractions expel the pregnancy from the vagina.
If you are considering medical abortion, it’s essential to know that it’s FDA-approved only through 10 weeks gestation. Taking the drugs past the recommended timeframe isn’t advised.
Additionally, abortion is illegal in Kentucky except when necessary to save the woman’s life. This means that you cannot have an abortion in the state in most circumstances.
The Side Effects and Risks
Just like any procedure, abortion has side effects and risks you should know. What’s more, it’s a major decision with the potential for long-term impacts if there are complications.
A woman will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding during a medical abortion, though additional side effects can occur. These side effects include:
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
Medical abortion is also associated with certain risks. Learning these risks is crucial to making an informed decision. They include:
- Digestive symptoms
- Fever
- Heavy, prolonged bleeding
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)
- Infection
- Incomplete abortion (when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, potentially requiring surgical treatment)
Without prompt medical attention, you could experience long-term complications. That’s why looking for warning signs like chills or foul-smelling discharge is critical to getting the care you need without delay.
New Hope Center is here to address all your questions about medical abortion and other options. We’ll help you get clarity.
Considering Your Options?
You need the facts before deciding. New Hope Center will help you learn about all your options in a compassionate, non-judgmental environment.
We’ll even offer a free limited ultrasound performed by an RN or sonographer so you can learn how far along you are and gather critical details to protect your health. This is your decision—we’ll empower you to make a confident one.
Schedule a confidential appointment today to learn more.
New Hope Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
