Facts About Medical Abortion You Might Not Know
Understanding how a medical abortion works and the risks involved is important if you are considering this option. Not everything you find online tells you the full story, especially if you are looking into ordering the abortion pill online.
Life’s Choices Women’s Clinic is here to give you the facts about abortion in a safe environment where you can speak about your concerns and ask questions so that you can make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
We also provide free pregnancy services to help women obtain accurate medical information about their pregnancy before making a decision.
Schedule your appointment at the clinic today. We are here for you.
1. A Pregnancy Test Alone Isn’t Enough Information
A pregnancy test confirms if the pregnancy hormone hCG is present, but does not tell you the important information about your pregnancy, such as the location, how far along you are, and viability (if there is a heartbeat).
These details can only be confirmed by an ultrasound. Knowing these details can also determine whether you have an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the pregnancy implants outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and can only be detected via an ultrasound.
It’s estimated that 1 in 4 pregnancies naturally end in miscarriage. A pregnancy test can still read positive even if you have already miscarried due to the presence of hCG. An ultrasound can provide important information about whether a pregnancy is continuing to develop and whether a heartbeat is detected.
Life’s Choices Women’s Clinic provides no-cost ultrasounds following a positive pregnancy test at the clinic to give you the information you need.
2. The Abortion Pill Is Only Approved Through 10 Weeks
The abortion pill consists of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the pregnancy hormone progesterone, which is needed to sustain the pregnancy, and the second drug, misoprostol, is taken later and causes cramping and bleeding to expel the pregnancy tissue.
According to the FDA, the abortion pill is only approved through 10 weeks of gestation. This is why getting an ultrasound to determine how far along you are is an important step before making a pregnancy decision.
3. Ordering Abortion Pills Online Is Risky
Some women consider ordering abortion pills online because it seems convenient and private. The FDA, however, warns against ordering these drugs online because the source, quality, and storage conditions of the drugs cannot always be verified.
In addition to this, medical oversight is essential since there may be pre-existing health conditions or details surrounding the pregnancy that put you at risk. Without medical follow-up, this also may increase the risk of complications going unnoticed.
4. There Are Serious Risks To Be Aware Of
There are potential risks and complications that come with a medical abortion, which include infection, an incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding that will not stop, or an allergic reaction.
This is one of the reasons follow-up care isn’t optional. Without it, you may not know which symptoms are expected side effects and which may indicate a complication requiring medical attention.
5. There May Be an Option If You Change Your Mind
Some women have second thoughts after taking the first abortion pill, mifepristone. There is a process known as abortion pill reversal (APR), and timing is critical if someone is considering this option.
The APR process works by adding extra doses of progesterone back into the body to reverse the effects of the first drug. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours of taking mifepristone.
If you’re considering this option, please reach out to the 24/7 APR Helpline for the assistance you need.
Get The Information You Need at Life’s Choices Women’s Clinic
We understand how confusing it can be to get clear information surrounding your options. This is why Life’s Choices Women’s Clinic provides no-cost options counseling, where we will give you accurate information concerning all your options: abortion, adoption, and parenting.
We are here to listen, answer your questions, and provide the medically accurate information you need to make an informed and confident decision about your pregnancy.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Contact us to make an appointment.
Life Choices Women’s Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
Pregnancy Tests
If you have had unprotected sex or missed your period, you might wonder if you are pregnant. The first thing you should do is take a pregnancy test. We offer lab-quality pregnancy testing at no cost.
Ultrasounds
If you are pregnant, an ultrasound will help determine how far along you are, if the pregnancy is viable (growing), and if it’s located in the correct place. We offer limited obstetric ultrasounds at no cost.
STD Testing
When a person engages in sex or sex-like activity, there’s a chance of contracting an STD. Most people with an STD don’t have immediate symptoms. Regular testing helps prevent later physical risks. We offer no-cost and confidential STD testing to women and men.
Men MENtoring Men
Our fatherhood program, Men MENtoring Men, begins during the first medical appointment. Men MENtoring Men is the opportunity for you to meet with a male advocate to discuss your feelings about becoming a dad.
Pregnancy Tests
If you have had unprotected sex or missed your period, you might wonder if you are pregnant. The first thing you should do is take a pregnancy test. We offer lab-quality pregnancy testing at no cost.
Ultrasounds
If you are pregnant, an ultrasound will help determine how far along you are, if the pregnancy is viable (growing), and if it’s located in the correct place. We offer limited obstetric ultrasounds at no cost.
STD Testing
When a person engages in sex or sex-like activity, there’s a chance of contracting an STD. Most people with an STD don’t have immediate symptoms. Regular testing helps prevent later physical risks. We offer no-cost and confidential STD testing to women and men.
Men MENtoring Men
Our fatherhood program, Men MENtoring Men, begins during the first medical appointment. Men MENtoring Men is the opportunity for you to meet with a male advocate to discuss your feelings about becoming a dad.
