What Is The Abortion Pill?

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When you take an aspirin, your headache usually goes away immediately. Do you think abortions are that easy? “Take a pill and your pregnancy worries are gone,” some might think.  Having an abortion, any type of abortion, is not an easy choice. Abortions are a serious medical decision. Although “abortion pill” is the popular name given to this procedure by an abortion clinic, it is not one pill, and it is not as easy as they would like you to believe. Get the facts before you choose the abortion pill method.

The Abortion Pill Procedure

There are two types of abortion:  medication and surgical. The abortion pill method is known as a chemical or medication abortion. Sometimes it is also called RU 486. You are only eligible for a medication abortion if you are less than ten weeks into your pregnancy. Thereafter, you would need to have a surgical abortion.

As mentioned, the chemical abortion is actually a two-step or two-drug process rather than just taking one pill. Before the abortionist can begin the procedure, you need to have an ultrasound. The ultrasound determines how far along you are in your pregnancy, and if your pregnancy is viable. A viable pregnancy means a heartbeat is detected and the fetus is growing inside the uterus.

The Drugs You Take for a Medication Abortion

Once you have an ultrasound and determine your pregnancy is less than ten weeks, you can start the abortion pill procedure. To begin, you take the first drug, mifepristone (Mifeprex®). This drug blocks the production of the hormone progesterone which is commonly referred to as the “pregnancy hormone.” Progesterone helps the fertilized egg implant on the wall of your uterus. Mifepristone causes the lining of the uterus to thin and prevents the fetus from staying implanted.

You are given the second drug, Misoprostol, to take hours or even days after the Mifepristone. Misoprostol causes your uterus to contract to expel the fetus.

Ordering the abortion pill online

It is currently illegal to purchase Mifeprex over the internet. According to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the drug is only available legally to individual health care facilities, including clinics, medical offices, and hospitals. It is not available in retail pharmacies.

While searching online, you may come across a site that claims to sell and deliver real abortion pill medication. Known as “self-managed abortions,” these pharmaceutical sites are often located in other countries. Lawmakers recently discovered some pills were prescribed by an abortionist in the Netherlands and filled by a pharmacy in India. 

If you tried to purchase the abortion pill online, you would not be able to verify the chemicals in the drugs. Since these online drugs are not required to comply with FDA safeguards, you have no assurance of their quality. Oversight by the FDA assures the manufacturing process and the facility meet the necessary standards.

Because it is dangerous and highly regulated, Mifeprex is only distributed through a restricted program called MIFEPREX REMS. In fact, the warning label even notes, “WARNING: SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL INFECTIONS OR BLEEDING.”

Risks and Side Effects of the Abortion Pill

It is vital to be under a doctor’s supervision when considering any abortion. Ask beforehand what the abortion doctor’s qualifications are and if they can help you in case of complications. Make sure they know your health history, too.

The Mayo Clinic lists these as potential risks of the abortion pill method:

  • Abdominal cramping as you pass the fetus.
  • Heavy bleeding with blood clots also occurs due to passing the fetus.
  • A fever, which could indicate a pelvic infection, requiring an exam by a medical professional.
  • Occasionally, an incompletel abortion, requiring a follow-up procedure.  

In addition, Healthline states, “Septic shock often occurs after an abortion. It strikes when your body gets a bacterial infection.” You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience a rapid heart rate, shaking chills, and difficult, rapid breathing.

Other Side Effects

An abortion has emotional as well as physical side effects. Often, women describe feelings of guilt, shame, and sadness after an abortion. Some women become very depressed and begin to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. In certain cases, post-abortion feelings can last a lifetime, so counseling is extremely important to work through your emotions.  Some researchers downplay the emotional and mental risks, or suggest that they only affect women prone to emotional and mental illness anyway, showing a stigmatizing attitude toward those most sensitive.

Where to Begin

At BsideU for Life, we can help you understand the abortion pill procedure or other abortion methods fully. In addition, we can confirm your pregnancy with confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing. If you receive a positive result, we can also perform a no-cost ultrasound to tell you how far along your pregnancy is.

We truly care about you. Schedule your appointment today. Together, we will sit down and discuss your life situation and all your options for your unplanned pregnancy. You do not have to do this alone.

If you’ve taken the abortion pill and regret your decision, it may not be too late to reverse your abortion! Please call this hotline number immediately for more information and assistance: (877) 558-0333

What Are the Side Effects of Abortion? 

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy you have three options — parenting, adoption, or abortion. While each option comes with its own unique challenges, it’s important to take the time you need to evaluate the pros and cons of each, including the side effects and risks you might encounter, especially related to the process of abortion.

BsideU for Life is here to help break down the process of abortion, including what it is, what your options are, what to expect, and how to prepare!


What is abortion?

Abortion is the process of ending a pregnancy, either through surgical or chemical means. Abortions are typically obtained when the pregnancy is unwanted for various reasons or, in rare cases, if the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest. Abortions may also be obtained if the pregnancy and/or birth will cause significant health issues for the mother.


What is the difference between chemical and surgical abortions? 


Chemical abortions, also known as the abortion pill, use a two-step chemical process to end a pregnancy. The process includes blocking progesterone receptors and blocking the production of progesterone, ending the pregnancy. The second step then causes contractions to expel the pregnancy tissue from the womb.

The abortion pill can be used through the first nine weeks of gestation and is typically taken at home, or in a two step process of the first pill being taken in a clinic, and the second at home.

Surgical abortions are performed in medical settings by abortion providers and can be performed at any point in the pregnancy, depending on the state laws where the abortion is being obtained.

The exact surgical procedure will depend on how developed the fetus is. However, each form of surgical abortion uses some form of cervical dilation, followed by fetal extraction, using either forceps or a suction device.

What are the side effects of the abortion pill?  

The abortion pill can be accompanied by uncomfortable side effects including…

 

  • Cramping and pain in the abdomen
  • Unusually heavy bleeding
  • Headaches
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 

 

Are there any serious risks associated with the abortion pill? 


While the abortion pill may come in the form of two seemingly harmless pills, it’s important to be aware of some of the more serious risks you may encounter. 

 
These risks might include…

 

  • Emotional trauma and mental health complications1
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) caused by abortions obtained while infected with Chlamydia2
  • Complications or issues related to fertility3
  • Potentially fatal hemorrhaging and/or infections as a result of retained tissue from incomplete abortions


What are the side effects of a surgical abortion? 

 

Surgical abortions might be accompanied by similar side effects to those of the abortion pill, including cramping, pain, bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Are there any serious risks associated with the abortion pill? 


In addition to the above side effects, surgical abortions can come with serious risks including the following: 

 

  • Damage to the cervix, uterus, and other internal organs, which can result in hemorrhaging and long-term consequences 
  • Life-threatening infections due to retained fetal tissue in the womb
  • Mental health complications 
  • The spread of existing infections to other parts of the body  


What steps should I take before I get an abortion? 

 

One important step in gathering information is getting an ultrasound. 

Ultrasounds provide valuable information about your health and pregnancy. They also inform what kind of abortion you should consider based on the age and location of your pregnancy.

Your friends at BsideU for Life are here to help by providing no-cost pregnancy testing, ultrasound scans, and options counseling to help you feel empowered and confident as you make the choice that’s best for you! 

 

Sources:

 

  1. Broen AN, Moum T, Bødtker AS, Ekeberg O. The course of mental health after miscarriage and induced abortion: a longitudinal, five-year follow-up study. BMC Med. 2005;3:18.

  2. Westergaard L, Phillipsen T, Scheibel J (1982). “Significance of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease.” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 68(5): 668-90; Ovigstad E, et al. (1983). “Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection after therapeutic abortion.” Br J Vener Dis, 59: 189-92; Heisterberg L, et al. (1987). “The role of vaginal secretory immunoglobulin a, gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobes, and Chlamydia trachomatis in post abortal pelvic inflammatory disease.” Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 66(2): 99-102.

  3. Bhattacharya, S. et al. Reproductive outcomes following induced abortion: a national register-based cohort study in Scotland. BMJ Open. 2, (2012).

Is Planned Parenthood Free?  

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For some women, a positive pregnancy test brings about feelings of fear, worry, and stress, especially when finances are already a source of anxiety. Diapers, food, clothes, etc. — it’s no secret that parenting comes with expenses. However, what often goes undiscussed are the expenses that come with terminating a pregnancy. 

Your friends at BsideU for Life are here to prove you’re not alone in this new season, give you the facts about your pregnancy options, and dispel some important abortion myths. 

Is Planned Parenthood Free? 

As you consider your pregnancy options, understanding the potential costs is important. Abortion is a serious medical procedure and is often not covered by insurance plans, and unfortunately, you’ll likely find that many abortion clinics are seeking financial gain based on the choices you make for your body. 

Because Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit organization, many women assume they will find free services when they walk in their clinic doors; however, you might be surprised to find that healthcare at Planned Parenthood doesn’t come cheap. 

While it depends on the abortion procedure you choose, what part of the country you live in, and market competition in general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 for medical abortions and first-trimester surgical abortions to upwards of $3000 for second trimester or late-term abortions. You can also expect to pay additional fees for some other testing services or medication related to your pregnancy and abortion. 

Free Pregnancy Testing

While most abortion clinics like Planned Parenthood won’t offer free reproductive healthcare, you still have options!

Before you schedule an appointment for an abortion, it’s important to confirm your pregnancy with a certified lab-quality test. Even if you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, a lab-quality test will confirm you still have detectable levels of pregnancy hormones, indicating that you’re still pregnant. While a pregnancy test might be added to your bill at an abortion clinic, you can find free and confidential pregnancy testing at your local pregnancy centers, like BsideU for Life.

Free Ultrasound

You might be wondering why you would want to get an ultrasound if you’re planning on getting an abortion. However, ultrasounds are not just for women who plan to parent. These scans are actually an important part of the abortion process as they will help you identify the age, location, and viability of the pregnancy. 

These facts will not only give you insight into which abortion procedure you’re eligible for, but they will also help you identify any underlying conditions you might have that would increase the dangers of abortion. 

An ultrasound is required under Kentucky law prior to having an abortion as part of the patient’s informed consent rights.   If you obtain a free ultrasound from BsideU, it cannot be substituted for the one that an abortion clinic must provide by law.  

Schedule your free appointment today! 

The staff here at BsideU for Life is passionate about providing women with the resources and facts related to their pregnancy options.

When you walk inside our clinic, you’ll find pregnancy testing and ultrasound services, pregnancy options counseling, and physical and educational resources if you decide parenting or adoption are right for you. Most importantly, we’re here to help you confidently make the best decision for yourself and your future!