The Abortion Pill:

What is the Abortion Pill:
Can be referred to as: Medication Abortion, RU-486, Medical Abortion, Chemical Abortion [1]

  • Is not a form of emergency contraception (Morning After Pill or Plan B).
  • Is a medical procedure that uses medication to end a known pregnancy.
  • A hospital grade pregnancy test and ultrasound should be done to confirm a viable pregnancy. [1]
  • Must be done prior to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Women who are not pregnant or take the pill past 10 weeks of pregnancy have greater risk for other health concerns. [1]

How does the Abortion Pill end a pregnancy?

  1. First, you will be given mifepristone, a drug that will cause the death of your embryo or fetus by depleting progesterone which is needed for growth, thus ending your pregnancy.
  2. Second, you will be given misoprostol, a drug that causes your body to have contractions to expel the embryo or fetus from your body.
    • Women are usually not in their doctor’s office when they feel the effects of this drug.
    • Some women have experienced nausea, weakness, fever/chills, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. [2]
    • Some women have noted visible fetal tissue in their discharge. [2]
    • Some women have reported excessive blood loss, requiring transfusion at their local hospital. [4]
  3. Within two weeks a doctor’s visit is necessary to ensure the abortion was fully completed. There can be remaining tissue and or fetus left over, and this may require a surgical abortion in some cases [4].
    • This is a potentially serious condition, and this follow-up appointment is very important.

Abortion Pill Reversal:

Important: Some women change their minds after taking the first pill. You can choose to reverse your decision between the first and second pill. You can call us for guidance, or the 24/7 Abortion Pill Reversal hotline at 877-558-0333.

References

[1] Medical Abortion. Mayo Clinic Website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687. Published May 14, 2020. February 1, 2023.
[2] Clinical Trials Experience, Danco Laboratories, last modified March 2016, http://www.earlyoptionpill.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Prescribing-Info-and-MG_BW.pdf.
[3] Abortion (Termination of Pregnancy). Harvard University Website: https://www.health.harvard.edu/medical-tests-and-procedures/abortion-termination-of-pregnancy-a-to-z. Published January 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
[4] Women’s Right to Know, Louisiana Department of Health Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/1036. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
[5] Christian Adoption Services Website: https://www.christianadopt.org/ Retrieved February 1, 2023.