If you are planning to get a medication abortion, a lot of states allow you to schedule a telehealth consultation with a doctor who can give you a prescription that you can pick up at your local pharmacy. This discreet and convenient option allows you to get the prescription without requiring an in-person visit to a clinic or doctor’s office.
If you’re considering a medical abortion, you’ll want to read the following information to make sure that you qualify and can make your decision armed with as much information as possible.
How Does It Work?
Progesterone is called the pregnancy hormone because it is essential for fetal development as the pregnancy progresses. The first drug in a medication abortion, mifepristone, is an antiprogestin which blocks the pregnancy from receiving any more progesterone, which then weakens the uterine lining and stops the pregnancy.
The second pill, misoprostol, contracts your uterus and forces your body to expel any pregnancy tissue, much like a natural miscarriage.
What Are the Side Effects?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the medications of a medical abortion may also cause:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
It’s also normal after taking the first pill to experience cramping and vaginal bleeding for several hours, although the level of discomfort varies from woman to woman.
What Are the Risks?
Most importantly, you should be aware of any pre-existing conditions that could disqualify you from a medical abortion:
- An intrauterine device (IUD)
- Allergies to the medications used in the medical abortion
- Heart, blood vessel, liver, kidney, or lung diseases
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Use of blood thinners or steroid medications
Other potential risks to be aware of that can occur as a result of a medical abortion include infection, an incomplete abortion (if the abortion is unsuccessful), or heavy and prolonged bleeding.
How Do I Know If I’m Eligible for An Abortion?
Medical abortion procedures can only be prescribed if a pregnancy is 70 days (10 weeks) or less. The best way to get this information is through an ultrasound, which not only gives you the gestational age but can confirm the viability of the pregnancy (if an abortion is even necessary) and it also eliminates the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy.
Here at Women’s Help Center, we offer no-cost ultrasounds as well as lab-quality pregnancy tests. Contact us to schedule an ultrasound or pregnancy test to get the clarity you need to make a confident decision.