Using the abortion pill method seems like a quick and private way to end a pregnancy, but there can be serious health concerns. Since you take these drugs without direct medical supervision, you should know what to expect and when to decide if you need emergency medical care.
For a better understanding of both medical and surgical abortion, schedule a no-cost, confidential conversation with a LaVie advocate. You can call or text us at (803) 996-4673 or choose an appointment time that’s best for you.
We want to protect your health and safety. The following are just a few facts you should be aware of before considering these drugs.
There Are Potential Complications
You may have heard that taking abortion drugs is as easy as taking a Tylenol, but nothing can be further from the truth. According to medical experts, the following are possible complications:
- An incomplete abortion. This happens when the body doesn’t expel all of the pregnancy tissue.
- The potential that the drugs won’t work and you will have an ongoing pregnancy.
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
- A fever.
- An infection.
You will need to seek immediate emergency care if you experience any of the following:
- Heavy bleeding—soaking two or more pads an hour for more than two hours in a row.
- Bad pain in the stomach or pelvic area.
- Chills or body aches.
- Fast heart rate.
- A fever that lasts for more than four hours after you take the second drug, misoprostol.
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
You May Not Be Eligible to Take the Drugs
There are a few reasons why you may not qualify to take the drugs. This procedure isn’t an option for you for the following reasons:
- You are too far along in your pregnancy. The FDA approves the use of the drugs only through 10 weeks of pregnancy. South Carolina bans abortion after 6 weeks when a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
- You have an intrauterine device currently in place.
- Your pregnancy is located outside of your uterus. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening.
- You have certain medical conditions.
- Take a blood thinner.
- Cannot reach emergency medical care.
- Are allergic to the drugs.
You May No Longer Be Pregnant
Research estimates that between 10 and 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. It may be more than 30 percent of pregnancies because many end before a person even knows they’re pregnant.
Because it can take days or weeks to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels after a miscarriage, your pregnancy test could be positive even though you’re no longer pregnant. You don’t want to order the abortion drugs only to discover you already had a miscarriage.
To find out if your pregnancy is developing or if you have miscarried, you need an ultrasound. An ultrasound also determines if your pregnancy is located outside your uterus and how far along you are.
How Can LaVie Pregnancy Care Center Help Me?
We offer no-cost, confidential limited obstetrical ultrasounds when you get a positive result with one of our no-cost pregnancy tests. Don’t skip this important step. An ultrasound can reduce your risk of complications and give you the answers you need to protect your health.
Choose a time slot for your appointment online or call or text us at (803) 996-4673. We care about you.
LaVie Pregnancy Care Center doesn’t provide or refer for abortion.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.