Abortion Pill
The abortion pill has many names and descriptions. They include RU-486, Medication Abortion, Medical Abortion, Chemical Abortion, Mifepristone, and the brand name, Mifeprex® and Plan C.
Call 866-406-9327 to learn more about the abortion pill and your options.
5 Things to Know Before Taking the Abortion Pill
1. The abortion pill is medication that can be used to abort an early pregnancy.
Medication abortion (also called the abortion pill, mifepristone, Mifeprex plus misoprostol) is FDA approved for up to 70 days (10 weeks pregnant) after the start of your last menstrual period.11 Because the abortion pill has specific safety restrictions as to how it is distributed to the public, it so should never be purchased online.1,2 Doing so can be risky.
Women with any of the following should not take the abortion pill (mifepristone plus misoprostol)3,4,5
- If you currently have an intrauterine device (IUD) in your uterus.
- If there is a concern that the pregnancy is outside of the uterus. This is called ectopic pregnancy and can be life-threatening. Learn about the risk factors and signs of an ectopic pregnancy.6
- If your pregnancy is past 10 weeks. The FDA has only approved the abortion pill for up to 10 weeks from the LMP. Taking the abortion pill later in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of complications, such as an incomplete abortion or severe bleeding. When this happens, more abortive pills or surgery may be necessary to complete the procedure or stop the bleeding.
- If you have certain medical problems including: bleeding disorders, severe liver or kidney disease, known cardiac disease, or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- If you take certain medications including blood thinners or steroids.
- If you are allergic to the medicines used.
2. It's actually not just one pill.
The procedure typically takes a few days and starts with a visit to a participating doctor’s office, clinic or virtual visit. The procedure starts by taking the first medication (mifepristone) by mouth which eventually causes the death of the baby over the next several days. One to two days later, the second medication (misoprostol tablets) is taken which causes bleeding and cramping that forces the embryo out.7
3. The embryo comes out and bleeding typically lasts one or two weeks.
The misoprostol tablets cause cramping and bleeding that can be heavy. When the baby is expelled by the cramping, it is possible that the woman may see identifiable parts if she is beyond 8 weeks LMP. By 10 weeks LMP, the developing baby is over one inch in length with clearly recognizable arms, legs, hands, and feet.8 Vaginal bleeding lasts for an average of 9–16 days after taking the misoprostol tablets.9
4. The abortion pill doesn’t always cause an abortion.
A small percentage of women are still pregnant after completing the abortion pill regimen.10 Women should follow-up with the abortion provider one to two weeks after taking the first pill to determine if the procedure is complete and to check for complications. The abortion provider decides if the follow-up is a phone call, a blood test, an in-office exam, and/or an ultrasound.
5. There can be physical complications, but the emotional side-effects are largely unknown.
After surgical abortion, some women say they initially felt relief and looked forward to their lives returning to normal. But other women report negative emotions after abortion that linger, unresolved. Surgical abortion is more likely to be associated with negative psychological outcomes when compared to miscarriage or carrying an unintended pregnancy to term.12
Information is lacking about the long-term mental health effects of medical abortion, particularly, how women feel about giving themselves an abortion, and seeing baby parts expelled.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2016, March). Mifeprex® medication guide. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Postmarket Drug Safety Information for Patients and Providers. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex® (mifepristone) information. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-buy-medicines-safely-online-pharmacy - U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2016, March). Mifeprex® medication guide. Retrieved from
http://www.fda.gov and https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Postmarket Drug Safety Information for Patients and Providers. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex® (mifepristone) information. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov - pdr.net/drug-summary/Cytotec-misoprostol-1044.430#11
- pdr.net/drug-summary/Korlym-mifepristone-2928#11
- mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopicpregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2016, March). Mifeprex® medication guide. Retrieved from
- http://www.fda.gov
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Postmarket Drug Safety Information for Patients and Providers. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex® (mifepristone) information. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov
O’Rahilly R, Gardner E. 1975. The timing and sequence of events in the development of the limbs in the human embryo. Anat Embryol. 148(1):1-23 - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2016, March 30). Full prescribing information Mifeprex® (mifepristone); Warnings & precautions: Uterine bleeding. Retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov
- Spitz, I., Bardin, W., Benton, L., Robbins, A. (1998). Early pregnancy termination with mifepristone and misoprostol in the United States. The New England Journal of Medicine, 338(18), 1241–47.
Stubblefield, P., Carr-Ellis, S., Borgatta, L. (2004). Methods for induced abortion. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 104(1), 174-185. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000130842.21897.53.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2016, March 30). Full prescribing information Mifeprex® (mifepristone); Clinical studies. Retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/ - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2016, March 30). Full prescribing information Mifeprex® (mifepristone); Warnings & precautions: Infections and sepsis. Retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda. gov/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2016, March). Mifeprex® medication guide. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2016, March 30). Full prescribing information Mifeprex® (mifepristone); Warnings & precautions: Ectopic pregnancy. Retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda. gov/
Spitz, I., Bardin, W., Benton, L., Robbins, A. (1998). Early pregnancy termination with mifepristone and misoprostol in the United States. The New England Journal of Medicine, 338(18), 1241–47.
Stubblefield, P., Carr-Ellis, S., Borgatta, L. (2004). Methods for induced abortion. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 104(1), 174-185. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000130842.21897.53.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2016, March 30). Full prescribing information Mifeprex® (mifepristone); Clinical studies. Retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/ - Coleman, P.K. (2011). Abortion and mental health: Quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995–2009. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 199, 180–86. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.077230.
Thorp, J.M., Hartmann, K.E., Shadigian, E. Long-term physical and psychological health consequences of induced abortion: Review of the evidence. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2003;58(1):67–79.
Coleman, P.K. Resolution of unwanted pregnancy during adolescence through abortion versus childbirth: Individual and family predictors and psychological consequences. J Youth Adolesc. 2006;35:903–11.
Reardon, D.C., Coleman, P.K., Cougle, J. Substance use associated with prior history of abortion and unintended birth: A national cross sectional cohort study. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2004;26:369–83.
Broen, A.N., Moum, T., Bodtker, A.S., Ekeberg, O. Psychological impact on women of miscarriage versus
induced abortion: A two-year follow-up study. Psychosom Med. 2004;66(2):265–71.
Broen, A.N., Moum, T., Bodtker, A.S., Ekeberg, O. The course of mental health after miscarriage and
induced abortion: A longitudinal, five-year follow-up study. BMC Med. 2005;3:18.
What are your questions about the abortion pill? If you have questions or have started the procedure and do not want to complete it, please give us a call.
Call 866-406-9327, our abortion information hotline to talk to someone. We can answer you questions about the abortion pill, as well as other types of abortion procedures, how much abortions typically cost, and potential side effects of abortion. We are here for you!
FREE ULTRASOUND EXAM
Our pregnancy centers provide free ultrasound exams to confirm pregnancy. By getting an ultrasound you can learn more about your pregnancy and find out the answers to the important questions listed above. If you aren’t pregnant, or if it’s not viable, you can avoid the expense and potential risks of an abortion procedure. If you’re further along, you will find out if you are even eligible for the pill abortion. We realize this is time sensitive, call 866-406-9327 and get connected to free ultrasound services near you.
Before Taking the Abortion Pill
It’s very important to know how far along you are before starting an abortion procedure. And, if you’re considering mail order abortion pills, make sure you understand what it entails, side effects, possible risks, complications and alternatives. Call 866-406-9327, one of our coaches stands by, ready to help.
Call 866-406-9327 and get help now.
Call 866-406-9327 to learn more about at-home abortion and your options.
All of our services are 100% free and confidential. We exist to provide accurate medical information and support to women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy. Our pregnancy centers do not offer or refer for pregnancy terminations or birth control. Information is provided as an educational service and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.