The shock of an unplanned pregnancy can make you feel unsure about your decision. As you decide, you’ll want to have all the facts about your options and the information about your pregnancy. Keep reading to learn about the abortion pill and what you need to know beforehand!
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
With the abortion pill, a woman intentionally takes medication to terminate her pregnancy. Abortion pills may also be called a medical abortion, chemical abortion, RU-486, or at-home abortion.
The process involves two medications. The first medication, mifepristone, interferes with progesterone receptors and stops the continued growth of the embryo or fetus. The second medication, misoprostol, causes the uterus to cramp and expel the contents of the uterus, thereby ending the pregnancy.1
How Far Along Can You Take the Abortion Pill?
Women qualify for the abortion pill only up until 10 weeks of gestation.2 Gestational age can be estimated based on a woman’s last menstrual period, but an ultrasound is the most exact way to determine the gestational age.
Call CHOICES today to see if you qualify for a free ultrasound.
How Long Does the Abortion Pill Take to Work?
During the abortion pill regimen, a woman takes mifepristone first. Then, 24 to 48 hours later she takes misoprostol which causes her uterus to cramp and to expel the pregnancy. She may continue to experience bleeding for about 9 to 16 days and could bleed up to 30 days.2 She should follow up with a provider 7 to 14 days after taking the abortion pill to evaluate for complications.3
Is Plan B an Abortion Pill?
Plan B is an emergency contraception and can be referred to as the morning-after pill. Emergency contraception and abortion pills are different. Emergency contraception attempts to prevent a pregnancy from starting by delaying ovulation and preventing fertilization, but the abortion pills end a pregnancy that has already begun.
Where Can I Go to Get an Abortion Pill?
Some providers require a woman to take the first pill in the clinic. Not all providers prescribing the pills work from an abortion clinic. Depending on state laws, others can obtain abortion pills from certified pharmacies. The FDA has not evaluated those pills for safety3 and the pills could contain the wrong amount of medication.
Can Your Gynecologist Give You the Abortion Pill?
In states where abortion is legal, only certified doctors or mid-level providers can prescribe abortion pills. They will determine whether a woman qualifies for an abortion based on the gestational age. Talking with a provider is recommended because they will also rule out contraindications to an abortion such as ectopic pregnancy, drug allergies, blood thinning disorders, an IUD, or other medical disorders.3
How Much Does the Abortion Pill Cost?
Abortion pills can cost up to $750 and include fees for ultrasounds, blood tests, medications, and follow-up appointments. At CHOICES, we provide free pregnancy confirmation and limited ultrasounds for those who qualify.
What are the Risks of the Abortion Pill?
Like any medication may have side effects, taking the abortion pill has risks.4 First, women wanting an abortion should rule out an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside of the uterus and can be life-threatening if not properly treated. So, before taking abortion pills, it is recommended that a woman receive an ultrasound first.
Further complications after taking mifepristone include prolonged bleeding, an infection, an allergic reaction, or an incomplete abortion, which could require further medical intervention.
Does the Abortion Pill Hurt?
Everyone tolerates pain differently, but on average, women report a higher level of pain than they expected. They describe the pain as worse than menstrual cramps and compare it to labor contractions.5
Abortion Pill Information in Cripple Creek and Woodland Park, CO
Weighing the pros and cons of abortion can feel overwhelming. But you aren’t alone! Visit CHOICES to speak with our qualified and compassionate staff. We provide a non-judgmental space for you to process your questions and concerns.
To schedule your appointment, send a text to (719) 694-3201 or give us a call at (719) 284-2300 in Woodland Park or (719) 465-0123 in Cripple Creek. All services are free and confidential.
Please be aware that CHOICES does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Medical Abortion. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion
- Danco Laboratories, LLC. (2022). MEDICATION GUIDE: Mifeprex. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020687s014lbl.pdf
- FDA. (2023, January). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation?sm_guid=NTU1NzgyfDYzMDE1OTM2fC0xfGppbUBha2ZhbWlseS5vcmd8NTY4OTI4MXx8MHwwfDE5OTYwMDk4OHwxMDg2fDB8MHx8NTQ3NzI2fDA1
- What is the Abortion Pill? (2024, January 10). Pregnancy Decision Line. https://pregnancydecisionline.org/what-is-the-abortion-pill/
- Georgsson, S., & Carlsson, T. (2019). Pain and pain management during induced abortions: A web-based exploratory study of recollections from previous patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(11), 3006–3017. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14132