Things to know about medical abortion

When you are facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering your options, having accurate information about what each one involves is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. If you are thinking about a medical abortion, understanding what the process looks like, what to expect physically, and what the risks are can help you approach this decision from a more informed place.

Caring for Women Center offers peer counseling where you can ask questions and talk through what you are feeling without any pressure. All of our services are free and confidential.

Make an appointment today or call our 24/7 hotline at (530) 532-9362.

What a Medical Abortion Involves

A medical abortion, sometimes called the abortion pill, is an FDA-approved two-drug process used to end a pregnancy through 10 weeks of gestation. The first drug, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone, which sustains a pregnancy, causing it to stop developing. The second drug, misoprostol, taken one to two days later, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through cramping and vaginal bleeding.

The physical experience varies significantly from person to person. For some women, it is manageable. For others, it is more intense than they anticipated.

Side Effects to Be Aware Of

In addition to cramping and bleeding, other commonly reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, and fatigue. These can range from mild to significant, depending on the individual.

Risks to Consider

As with any procedure, some risks deserve careful consideration before moving forward. These can include heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, an incomplete abortion requiring additional treatment, or, in some cases, the pregnancy continuing if the drugs are not effective.

Speaking with a healthcare provider before proceeding is strongly encouraged.

Before You Make Any Decision

A home pregnancy test tells you that you may be pregnant, but it does not tell you everything you need to know. A pregnancy test at Caring for Women Center is a good starting point. From there, an ultrasound referral can help confirm how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus, and whether the pregnancy is progressing. These details matter for every option you are considering, not just one.

Our peer counselors are here to sit with you, answer your questions, and walk alongside you through this process at a pace that feels right to you.

After-Abortion Support

If you have already had an abortion and are working through difficult emotions, Caring for Women Center offers after-abortion support. You do not have to carry that alone.

Reach out today to schedule your appointment at Caring for Women Center.

This blog is for informational purposes only. This facility is not a licensed medical facility. We do not offer, recommend, or refer for abortions or abortifacients; therefore, we receive no financial gain from your decision. We are committed to providing accurate information about pregnancy options, abortion procedure risks and alternatives, and after-abortion care.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.