Are You Considering Abortion?
When you first discovered your unexpected pregnancy, you may have panicked. If so, you may have immediately thought about getting an abortion.
Abortion is a serious physical and emotional decision. The Mayo Clinic writes, “Having a medical abortion is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences. If you’re considering this procedure, make sure you understand what it entails, side effects, possible risks, complications, and alternatives.”
What Is The Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill method (also known as medical abortion) uses two drugs over a 24 to 48-hour period to terminate a pregnancy. The FDA has approved the abortion pill through ten weeks gestation only (70 days or less since the first day of a patient’s last menstrual period).
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone from reaching the uterus. All pregnancies require progesterone to grow. Without it, the pregnancy is terminated.
Misoprostol, the second drug, causes contractions to expel the pregnancy from the body through the vagina.
Side Effects
The Mayo Clinic lists the following as physical side effects of the abortion pill method:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
The National Institutes of Health has this to say about the mental health effects of abortion:
“…abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.” And “…the abortion experience directly contributes to mental health problems for at least some women.”
Potential Risks
Potential risks include the following:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Before Taking The Abortion Pill
If you’re considering using the abortion pill method, you need to answer some additional questions first.
- Have you confirmed your pregnancy?
- Is your pregnancy viable, or have you miscarried?
- How far along are you in your pregnancy?
- Are you within the 70-day limit as the FDA recommends?
- Is your pregnancy located in your uterus?
- Have you considered your other options before choosing abortion?
Discuss Your Options
Our client advocates are happy to review abortion procedures, side effects, and potential risks with you. In addition, we can discuss your other options when you schedule an appointment with us. We care about your current situation and your future. Let us help you move forward with your next step.