If you’re researching the abortion pill, it’s important to understand how it works, the timeline involved, and the potential risks and side effects.
Before moving forward, schedule a free and confidential appointment at Aspire Women’s Clinic to get the information you need about your pregnancy and your options.
How a Medical Abortion Works
A medical abortion uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, taken at different times to end a pregnancy. It is commonly called the abortion pill, though it is actually multiple steps, not one.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone the pregnancy needs to keep developing. Without it, the uterine lining breaks down. Misoprostol, taken 24 to 48 hours later, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through cramping and bleeding.
The FDA has approved this method through 10 weeks of pregnancy, dated from your last period. In Florida, the law says this is approved through 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Changed Your Mind After Taking the First Drug?
If you’ve taken mifepristone but have not yet taken misoprostol and are having second thoughts, contact Aspire Women’s Clinic right away. Time matters. Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) uses supplemental progesterone in an effort to counteract the effects of mifepristone before the second drug is taken. While results cannot be guaranteed, starting treatment as soon as possible offers the best chance of continuing the pregnancy.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Call Aspire Women’s Clinic at (239) 766-5977 to speak with our team as soon as possible. You can also contact the Abortion Pill Reversal Network (APRN) 24/7 at 1-877-558-0333 or visit AbortionPillReversal.com to be connected with a participating medical provider near you.
Even if you’ve already taken both drugs, don’t hesitate to call. Our team can talk with you about your situation, answer your questions, and help you understand your next steps.
Side Effects and Risks of Medical Abortions
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, and significant cramping and bleeding.
More serious risks include:
- Incomplete abortion needing a follow-up procedure
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- An undetected ectopic pregnancy, which the abortion pill cannot treat
Why an Ultrasound Comes First
Two questions need to be answered before the abortion pill is ever an option: how far along is the pregnancy, and where is it located?
A limited OB ultrasound at Aspire Women’s Clinic answers both. It confirms gestational age and rules out an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency that the abortion pill cannot treat.
A pregnancy test alone cannot tell you either of these things.
What Aspire Women’s Clinic Offers
Aspire provides free, confidential pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds, STI testing, and Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) services at the Naples and Fort Myers locations.
Schedule your free, confidential appointment today.
Call: (239) 766-5977
Text: (239) 766-5977
Aspire 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.
