What Are the Abortion Pill Side Effects?

It is important to be informed before ingesting any pills. If you are unexpectedly pregnant and want to learn more about the abortion pill side effects and the regimen involved, read the following information.

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. The first pill terminates the pregnancy by blocking the hormone progesterone which nourishes the pregnancy. The second drug induces cramping to expel the pregnancy from the uterus.

Can how far along I am in my pregnancy affect abortion pill side effects?

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approves of the abortion pill regimen through 70 days gestation. The second abortion pill can be especially dangerous if taken too far along in a pregnancy. A potentially dangerous side effect on FDA’s abortion pill 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. Another reason to obtain an ultrasound is to determine the location of the pregnancy, as the FDA warns the abortion pill “will not be effective to terminate an ectopic pregnancy.”  Contact Waterleaf today about scheduling a no-cost ultrasound.

What are other abortion pill side effects?

The abortion pill does cause some discomfort, such as strong uterine cramps and vaginal bleeding. According to the Mayo Clinic, 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

A number of studies have named other long-term risks with abortion, including:

• An analysis of dozens of studies concluded that induced abortion was an “independent risk factor for preterm birth” (PTB).
• Many peer-reviewed and published medical studies have shown a link between induced abortion and an increased risk of breast cancer.
• Studies have concluded that abortion is connected to “increased risk of mental health disorders.”
• Having an abortion without knowing your blood’s “Rh factor” could jeopardize future pregnancies.

Should I buy the abortion pill online?

The FDA warns: “FDA Does Not Recommend Buying (the abortion pill) 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.

Abortion pill reversal

After taking the first abortion pill, some women have changed their minds and continued their pregnancies through abortion pill reversal. Abortion pill reversal works by replacing the progesterone that was blocked by the first abortion pill. If you’ve taken the first abortion pill and changed your mind, do not take the second pill. Contact Waterleaf or the Abortion Pill Rescue hotline right away. They will help you at no cost, providing information about the abortion pill, the Abortion Pill Reversal process, and your options.

• Waterleaf – call or text 630-360-2256. All correspondence is completely confidential.
• or call the Abortion Pill Rescue hotline at 877-558-0333 for a medical provider in your area.

Next steps

Accurate information will help you make an informed decision about your body and pregnancy. At Waterleaf, we are here to help you in a judgment-free, confidential environment. You can speak to a licensed medical professional and have your questions answered. No insurance is required. Schedule a consultation, pregnancy test, or ultrasound today by calling/texting 630-360-2256 or contact us securely online.