What is a Medical Abortion?
A medical abortion is a non-surgical method of ending an early pregnancy through 10 weeks of gestational age. It involves the use of two different abortion drugs taken at various times – mifepristone and misoprostol. You may know this method by another name: the abortion pill.
We offer no-cost ultrasounds at our center so you can confirm your pregnancy’s gestational age so you know what your options are.
How Does it Work?
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for the pregnancy to develop. Once progesterone is blocked, the lining of the uterus begins to deteriorate, and the pregnancy is terminated.
About 24-48 hours after taking mifepristone, the second drug, misoprostol, is taken. Misoprostol causes uterine contractions to expel the pregnancy tissue.
What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the potential side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Digestive discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Headache
What are the Risks of a Medical Abortion?
Potential risks of medical abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure fails
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Schedule Your No-Cost Ultrasound
It’s a good idea to schedule a preventative health screening via ultrasound before an abortion. At Options for Her, we offer no-cost limited ultrasounds to provide you with essential details about your pregnancy:
- Gestational Age: Knowing the gestational age of the pregnancy is crucial because medical abortions are only FDA-approved through 10 weeks, so an ultrasound can help you know your available options.
- Pregnancy Viability: 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage, which may require a procedure other than an abortion. The ultrasound will confirm whether your pregnancy is viable.
- Pregnancy Location: Healthy pregnancies implant inside the uterus, but an ectopic pregnancy located outside the uterus can be life-threatening if left untreated. Ectopic pregnancies require procedures other than a standard abortion.
We are here to empower you with information and answers to your questions. Contact us today!
Pregnancy Testing
If you suspect you may be pregnant, you should speak with a trusted medical provider or pregnancy clinic. By discussing the best time to test and confirming your results with a quality pregnancy test and ultrasound, you can be sure of the results and begin planning your next step.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to receive information that can be seen as an image on a screen. Determine what choices you have with an ultrasound. An ultrasound will alert you of any possible complications. It is an important step of the pregnancy confirmation process, as it confirms three different aspects of your pregnancy.
Mobile Unit
We offer pregnancy confirmation services at our Mobile Unit! Here is more about our pregnancy services, provided at no cost to you and completely confidential. If for some reason you can't come to us, we can come to you with our mobile unit.
Pregnancy Testing
If you suspect you may be pregnant, you should speak with a trusted medical provider or pregnancy clinic. By discussing the best time to test and confirming your results with a quality pregnancy test and ultrasound, you can be sure of the results and begin planning your next step.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to receive information that can be seen as an image on a screen. Determine what choices you have with an ultrasound. An ultrasound will alert you of any possible complications. It is an important step of the pregnancy confirmation process, as it confirms three different aspects of your pregnancy.
Mobile Unit
We offer pregnancy confirmation services at our Mobile Unit! Here is more about our pregnancy services, provided at no cost to you and completely confidential. If for some reason you can't come to us, we can come to you with our mobile unit.
