You may find yourself unexpectedly pregnant and told about an at-home abortion. It’s important to know what is an at-home abortion? What does it involve? What are the risks?
It is important to be informed before ingesting any pills. This article reviews what pills are involved in an at-home abortion; determining how far along you are; buying the pills online; side effects, risks, and precautions; and more.
What is the abortion pill?
The abortion pill is sometimes called a chemical or medical abortion. It actually involves taking a series of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. The first pill, mifepristone, terminates the pregnancy by blocking the hormone progesterone which the pregnancy needs to continue. When progesterone is blocked, it alters your uterus, causing the pregnancy to detach and terminate. Approximately 24-48 hours after taking the first pill, a second set of pills, misoprostol, are taken. Misoprostol causes contractions and involves “heavy bleeding and cramping” as the pregnancy is expelled.
Does it matter how far along I am in my pregnancy?
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approves of the abortion pill regimen through 70 days gestation. The amount of time is measured from the date of your last menstrual period. The second abortion pill can be especially dangerous if taken too far along in a pregnancy. The FDA’s misoprostol label warns that: “UTERINE RUPTURE INCREASES WITH ADVANCING GESTATIONAL AGES.” This is one of the reasons why it is important to determine a more precise gestational age with an ultrasound prior to any abortion. Contact Waterleaf today about scheduling a no-cost ultrasound.
Should I buy the abortion pill online?
The “FDA Does Not Recommend Buying Mifepristone Online” nor “personally transporting it from a foreign country.” The FDA “does not have regulatory oversight” over drugs manufactured or handled outside their review. The FDA cannot verify the “safety, effectiveness, and quality” of such drugs.
What are side effects of the abortion pill?
A side effect that could be dangerous and lead to severe infection is the “body not releasing all pregnancy tissue.” This is called an incomplete abortion and could require additional surgery.
According to the Mayo Clinic and RxList, other side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Pain in abdomen, chest, breasts, muscles, back and joints
- Anemia
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Uterine rupture, which increases with gestational age
Other studies show additional risks associated with abortion:
- An analysis of dozens of studies concluded that induced abortion was an “independent risk factor for PTB [preterm birth].
- Many peer-reviewed and published medical studies have shown a link between induced abortion and an increased risk of breast cancer.
- Studies have also concluded that abortion is connected to “increased risk of mental health disorder.”
- After taking the abortion pill, over 10% of women experience a serious adverse event such as infection, hemorraghing, or other serious or life-threatening events.
What pre-existing conditions should I consider before an at-home abortion?
Women with certain pre-existing conditions are advised before taking certain medications. These pre-existing conditions are sometimes called “contraindications.” The Mayo Clinic lists over 200 drugs (click to view) that conflict with the abortion pill. You should inform a medical professional about any medications or conditions you have prior to obtaining the abortion pill.
The Mayo Clinic recommends that you tell your doctor if you have any of the following pre-existing conditions before taking the abortion pill:
- History of abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Adrenal problems
- Ectopic pregnancy (an embryo implanted outside the uterus, often in fallopian tube)
- Endometrial hyperplasia (irregular thickening of the uterine lining)
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Severe anemia
- Inability to clot properly
- Autoimmune disorders
- Lower abdominal mass, undiagnosed
- Kidney or liver disease
What precautions should I take before an at-home abortion?
If you are pregnant and considering abortion obtain a pregnancy confirmation and ultrasound. For your health and safety, Waterleaf can offer you these services at a free pregnancy screening appointment.
The ultrasound reveals:
- The location of your pregnancy. If your pregnancy has implanted anywhere outside the uterus you could have an ectopic pregnancy. In this instance, you would be advised to seek immediate medical attention. The FDA specifically says the abortion pill “will not be effective to terminate an ectopic pregnancy.”
- The gestational age is determined by measuring the dimensions of the pregnancy. The abortion pill can be dangerous to you if your pregnancy is farther along than you may think. The FDA approves of the abortion pill up to 70 days (10 weeks). Abortion pill risks such as uterine rupture increase the farther along you are in your pregnancy. The ultrasound provides you with an accurate gestational age so you can make the best decision for you.
- The viability of your pregnancy. If a heartbeat cannot be detected, it is possible you may naturally miscarry. In this case, you would be advised to follow up with your physician, and you would avoid an unnecessary abortion procedure.
Another factor to consider before taking the abortion pill is your blood’s “Rh Factor.” You may need a special shot if you have certain blood conditions. Learn more about Rh Factor here or contact us to speak with a medical professional in-person or with a telehealth call.
What is an at-home abortion – what is my next step?
Your health is important and you deserve accurate information about your body and pregnancy. If you’re wondering more about what is an at-home abortion, you deserve accurate medical information about your body and pregnancy.
At Waterleaf, we are here to help you in a judgement-free, confidential environment. You can speak to a licensed medical professional and have your questions answered. No insurance is required. Schedule a pregnancy test and ultrasound today by calling/texting 630-360-2256 or contact us securely online.
