If you’ve recently discovered you’re pregnant and are considering the abortion pill, you may be wondering whether it’s an option for you.
While this method may sound straightforward, there are important medical factors to consider before deciding.
Details like how far along you are, where your pregnancy is located, and your medical history can all affect whether you’re eligible for the abortion pill. Getting accurate information about your pregnancy and understanding the potential risks can help you make an informed decision and protect your health.
Read on to learn more, or contact Calaveras Pregnancy Center today to find a safe space to talk and get answers.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work, and Who Is Eligible?
The abortion pill, also called a medical abortion, typically involves taking two different drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain a pregnancy. Without it, your pregnancy will detach from the uterine lining and end. Misoprostol is taken afterward to cause uterine contractions and expel the pregnancy through vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping.
The FDA has approved this two-drug regimen for use through 10 weeks of pregnancy (70 days from the first day of your last menstrual period).
However, being within this timeframe doesn’t automatically mean the abortion pill is appropriate for you.
Certain medical conditions and circumstances can make you ineligible, including:
- Being too far along in your pregnancy. You shouldn’t attempt a medical abortion if you’ve been pregnant for more than 11 weeks. A pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last menstrual period.
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
- Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy.
- Have certain medical conditions. These include anemia; some bleeding disorders; chronic adrenal failure; certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines.
- Can’t reach a healthcare professional by phone or online, or don’t have access to emergency care.
- Have an allergy to the drugs used in a medical abortion.
Even when someone is medically eligible, the abortion pill still carries potential risks, including heavy bleeding, infection, and incomplete abortion (which is when parts of the pregnancy remain in your uterus).
Why Is an Ultrasound Important Before Taking the Abortion Pill?
Before making a pregnancy decision, one of the most valuable steps you can take is to learn more about your pregnancy through an ultrasound.
A positive pregnancy test tells you that pregnancy hormones are present, but it cannot confirm how far along you are, where your pregnancy is located, or whether the pregnancy is developing.
An ultrasound can provide important information about:
Gestational age: Knowing how far along you are helps determine whether you fall within the FDA-approved timeframe for the abortion pill. Calculating your pregnancy based on your last menstrual period can often be inaccurate, particularly if your cycles are irregular.
Pregnancy location: An ultrasound can help confirm whether your pregnancy is located inside the uterus. This is especially important because abortion drugs do not treat ectopic pregnancies, which can cause dangerous internal bleeding if left untreated.
Pregnancy viability: An ultrasound can help assess whether your pregnancy is developing as expected. Sometimes, a woman may have experienced a miscarriage but still receive a positive pregnancy test because hCG remains in her body.
At Calaveras Pregnancy Center, we offer on-site ultrasound referrals to help you better understand your pregnancy before deciding what comes next.
Why Should I Learn About All My Pregnancy Options?
When you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, it’s understandable to want answers quickly. You may be worried about finances, relationships, school, or how having a baby could affect your future.
But before making a decision, give yourself the opportunity to understand all your options and the support that may be available.
Parenting: If you’re considering parenting but feel unprepared, you may be surprised by the resources available to help. Parenting education, material assistance, community programs, and other practical support can help you prepare for your baby.
Adoption: If you’re not ready to parent, adoption may be an option to explore. You can learn about different adoption arrangements, your rights as an expectant parent, and how much involvement you may want with your child and the adoptive family.
Abortion: If you’re considering abortion, take time to learn about how abortion works and the potential physical and emotional risks.
Understanding what’s behind your concerns can help you identify resources and support you might not have known were available.
Get the Facts at Calaveras Pregnancy Center
If you’re searching for answers, Calaveras Pregnancy Center is here to help you take an informed next step. You don’t have to navigate an unexpected pregnancy or make an important decision without support.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment. We’re here for you.
Calaveras Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.