Many people considering a medical abortion have questions or concerns about how the process works and what to expect. Understanding what a medical abortion entails can help reduce uncertainty and empower you to make informed decisions.
Whether you’re considering continuing your pregnancy, adoption, or abortion, Pregnancy Options offers no-cost, confidential information to help you make an educated choice. Reach out to get the support and information you need.
How Medical Abortion Works
A medical abortion, often called the “abortion pill,” is a non-surgical method to end an early pregnancy, typically using two FDA-approved drugs: mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone needed to sustain pregnancy, and misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and expel pregnancy tissue. Medical abortions are approved for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Cramping and bleeding will occur as these drugs end and expel the pregnancy.
Side effects can include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. While these effects are typically part of the process, it’s important to have access to medical support in case of heavier bleeding, fever, or other concerning symptoms.
Potential Serious Complications of a Medical Abortion
Serious potential complications of a medical abortion include:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding that soaks two or more pads per hour for several hours, which may signal incomplete abortion or other complications.
- Incomplete abortion, when pregnancy tissue is not fully expelled and requires further medical care (sometimes surgical).
- Severe infection, which can be life‑threatening if untreated and may present with fever or other symptoms.
- Undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy outside the uterus that requires emergency care and would not be resolved by a medical abortion.
These complications are rare but highlight the importance of medical supervision and follow-up care.
Understanding Your Options
Choosing how to respond to an unplanned pregnancy can involve exploring multiple paths, including parenting, adoption, or abortion. At Pregnancy Options, we offer a safe and confidential space to discuss all available options without judgment. Learning about each option can help you make a decision that aligns with your health, values, and long-term goals.
Support During and After Pregnancy Decisions
Pregnancy Options offers no-cost services to support your physical, emotional, and practical needs. This includes pregnancy tests and limited, off-site ultrasounds performed by our medical director. An ultrasound can confirm how far along you are, ensure the pregnancy is in the uterus, and assess viability, helping guide safe next steps.
Our team is here to provide guidance, resources, and compassionate care as you navigate this important time. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost appointment and learn more about the services and programs available to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Pregnancy Options does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.