This is a great question. The abortion pill method typically uses more than one pill to complete an abortion, so it’s automatically confusing. This method is also known as a medical, chemical, or medication abortion because it uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look.
How Does the Abortion Pill Method Work?
The abortion pill involves taking two drugs over a 24-to 48-hour period. The FDA highly regulates the first drug, mifepristone. Only certified providers can prescribe it.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone from reaching the uterus. Progesterone is required for every pregnancy to grow and develop, and without it, the pregnancy cannot continue.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes bleeding and contractions to remove the pregnancy from the body. Research has found that some women experience severe pain after taking this drug.
Although the FDA approves the use of abortion drugs through 10 weeks of pregnancy, Georgia’s heartbeat bill bans abortion after 5 or 6 weeks, when a heartbeat can be detected. Knowing how far along you are in your pregnancy is vital.
Can Anyone Use the Abortion Pill?
The Mayo Clinic lists the following reasons why the abortion pill may not be an option for you:
- You are too far along in your pregnancy
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place
- The location of your pregnancy is outside of your uterus (an ectopic pregnancy)
- You have certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders or severe liver, kidney, or lung disease
- You take a blood thinner
- You can’t reach a healthcare professional or don’t have access to emergency care
- You are allergic to the drugs used
How Can I Find Out Exactly How Far Along My Pregnancy Is?
Your first step is to get free medically certified pregnancy testing from a nurse or trained layperson at Coweta Pregnancy Services. Even if you’ve taken a home pregnancy test, getting another test is critical to verify the results. Our tests are always free and confidential.
If your Coweta Pregnancy Services test is positive, we will schedule you for a free, confidential, limited OB ultrasound. An ultrasound gives you vital information about your pregnancy, such as:
- How far along you are
- If the location of your pregnancy is correct or if you have an ectopic pregnancy
- If your pregnancy is developing or if you have had a miscarriage (experts estimate 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage)
Is It Necessary to Have an Ultrasound?
To protect your health and safety, the team at Coweta Pregnancy Services recommends a free and confidential ultrasound. Having as much information as possible is essential before making any serious medical decision. Let us help you get the knowledge you need.
We do not profit from any decision you make. Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we want you to be fully informed.
Schedule your free and confidential appointment for a pregnancy test, ultrasound, and the abortion information you need to make an empowered decision. We care about you.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.