The abortion pill method is also known as a medical, medication, or chemical abortion because you take two drugs to end a pregnancy. The first drug, mifepristone, is highly regulated by the FDA, and there are limitations regarding who qualifies for this method.
Let’s look at some facts you may not be aware of. As always, the team at HopePlace Fordyce wants you to have as much information as possible to protect your health and safety.
Fact One. You Must Confirm Your Pregnancy Is Viable First
A viable pregnancy means it is continuing to develop. Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage.
It is possible to get a positive pregnancy test for days or weeks following a miscarriage because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels.
Most miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks. There’s no reason to pursue a medical abortion if you are no longer pregnant.
The easiest way to determine if your pregnancy is viable or if you have miscarried is by having an ultrasound. A limited obstetrical ultrasound detects a fetal heartbeat as early as five or six weeks. Arkansas law bans abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
HopePlace offers referrals for free local ultrasounds. We’ll even provide transportation there if you’d like.
Fact Two. Not Everyone Is Eligible for a Medical Abortion
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a medical abortion isn’t a safe option for you for the following reasons:
- You are too far along in your pregnancy. The FDA only approves the use of the abortion drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy or less. The further along you are, the less effective the drugs are.
- You are allergic to either mifepristone or misoprostol, the two drugs used.
- Your pregnancy is located outside the uterus. This type of pregnancy is known as ectopic and can be extremely dangerous.
- You use long-term corticosteroids for asthma, eczema, arthritis, etc.
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place.
- You have a blood-clotting disorder, significant anemia, or chronic adrenal failure.
- You don’t have access to emergency care.
Fact Three. You Need to Prepare Yourself for the Pain and Bleeding
No one can predict how a woman’s body will respond to the abortion drugs. However, women in one study reported feeling extreme pain, comparable to giving birth.
It’s also important to know how much bleeding is too much and when you should seek emergency care. You should contact a healthcare provider if you soak through more than two thick pads an hour for two hours in a row.
Get the Facts From HopePlace
Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we can provide factual, medically based information about abortion procedures, the side effects to expect, and the potential physical and emotional risks.
Before you choose abortion, talk with us at HopePlace. You can fill out our confidential online Contact Form or call or text us at 870.352.8506.
How can we help you today?
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.