medical abortion pill

  Go to Contents
Go sailing
Go to Site Search
Homepage
Make your year-end gift. DONATE TODAY
Planned Parenthood

    Learn
    Get attention
    Join the fight
    Donate
    English

English
Enter search terms

    Learn
    Get attention
    Join the fight
    Donate

    Home Learn Abortion The abortion pill
    In force: What can I expect if I take the abortion pill?

What can I expect if I take the abortion pill?
In this section

You will take the pills at home and you will have the abortion there. The abortion pill will cause cramping and bleeding that can last several hours or more. Plan to have that day off.
What should I do before taking the abortion pill?

Before taking the abortion pill, you will have a consultation with your nurse, your doctor or the health center therapist to see if abortion is the right decision for you and discuss what abortion options you have. They will review you and do laboratory tests, and you may have an ultrasound to find out how long you are pregnant.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to do more to prepare for the abortion. They will give you written instructions on how to take the pills. You will have access to a dedicated professional during this process - they will give you a number you can call 24 hours a day, every day, if you have any questions or concerns.

After taking the second medication in your home, the bleeding will be heavy and you will have a lot of cramping. For this reason, it is important that you plan to be as comfortable as possible during the process. Choose a time when you have privacy, you can rest awhile and there is someone you trust - or, at least, close - to whom you can ask for help in case you need something.

Have large sanitary pads, food, books or movies to help you pass the time and a heating pad for colic. Make sure you have pain killers, but do not take aspirin because they can increase bleeding.
What happens during a medical abortion?

The medical abortion procedure has several steps, starting at the time you take the first pill.

First, you take a pill called mifepristone. Pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to progress normally. Mifepristone blocks the progesterone your body makes. After taking mifepristone, some people have nausea or bleeding, but it is not very common. Your doctor or nurse will give you antibiotics that you can take to prevent infections.

They will also give you a medication called misoprostol, which you must take between 24 and 48 hours after taking the first pill (they will give you instructions on how and when to do it). This medication causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus.

In most cases, cramping and bleeding usually start between 1 and 4 hours after taking misoprostol. While abortion occurs, it is normal to see large blood clots (up to the size of a lemon) or tissue masses. It is like having a very abundant period with very strong cramping and the process is very similar to a spontaneous abortion in the early stage of pregnancy.


 Colic and bleeding can last several hours. In most cases, the pregnancy tissue is removed in 4 to 5 hours, but may take longer. Colic and bleeding decrease after the pregnancy tissue is expelled. You may have intermittent cramping for 1 or 2 more days. To relieve colic, you can take analgesics such as ibuprofen up to 30 minutes before taking misoprostol. You can also take medications to relieve nausea if your doctor or nurse tells you to. Do not take aspirin because it can make you bleed more. After the abortion, it is normal for you to have bleeding and spotting for several weeks. Use sanitary pads for at least a week so you can know for sure how much you are bleeding. Then you can use tampons if the bleeding is not abundant. The last step is the follow-up consultation, there you will have an ultrasound or a blood test.
This way you will be sure that the abortion was completed and you are well. In the unlikely event that you are still pregnant, your doctor or nurse will talk with you about the options you have. You may need another dose of medication or have an abortion at a clinic to terminate the pregnancy. What does it feel like to have a medical abortion? For most people, medical abortion feels like a miscarriage at the beginning of pregnancy. You can have some symptoms:   

 Many abdominal cramps and pains

     Very heavy bleeding with large clots    

Vomiting or upset stomach (your doctor or nurse can give you medicine to calm nausea)     Diarrhea  

  Dizziness 

   Fatigue

    Low fever (99-100 ° F / 37 ° C) or chills the day you take misoprostol (if you have a fever the day after taking the misoprostol pill, call your doctor or health center immediately) To calm the pain and feel better, you can do the following:  

  Take pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Do not take aspirin, because it can make you bleed more.  

  Put a heating pad or a bottle full of hot water on your abdomen.   

 Taking a shower.

    Sit on the toilet.   

 Ask someone to rub your back. Previous Summary Next What can I expect after taking the abortion pill? Make an appointment Postal Code, City, State Or call 1-800-230-7526 Call Planned Parenthood Donate

    About us   

 Alternate Navigation (Toggle)   

 Join  the fight   

 Alternate Navigation (Toggle)   

 Means  

  Alternate Navigation (Toggle)  

  About this site  

  Alternate Navigation (Toggle) Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc.   

 Privacy Policy Terms of UseContact