What is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is a medication that can end a pregnancy. It’s made up of two medicines: mifepristone and misoprostol.

Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for continuing pregnancy. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and empty. The abortion pill is most effective during the first ten weeks of pregnancy.

It’s important to know that the abortion pill does not work in every case, so it’s essential to speak with your healthcare provider about all of your options if you’re considering an abortion.

It’s Always Good to Know:

• what abortion pill can do and how it works.
• what to expect after taking the abortion pill
• how safe is the abortion pill
• advantages and disadvantages of taking the abortion pill
• side effects and complications after taking the abortion pill
• Signs of an allergic
• Self-care after abortion

What Abortion Pill Can Do, and How Does it Works?

The abortion pill is an oral medication used to terminate pregnancy in its early stages.

The pill works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which the uterus needs to develop and care for a fertilized egg. Without this hormone, the uterus does not support the growing embryo.

This pill also causes contractions in your uterus, which will expel your uterus contents.

What To Expect After Taking The Abortion Pill?

After taking the abortion pill, this is what will happen.

Within six hours, you will have to bleed; the bleeding may be very strong or weak.

After taking the first pill, you need to follow up with a second one about 2-3 days from the first day of treatment.

After this second pill, most women will experience contractions and pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and fever.

If you don’t abort within 48h, you need to go in for an ultrasound to ensure the pregnancy tissue has been entirely removed.

How Safe Is The Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is very safe. Deaths are rare, and only 0.1% of women require any hospitalization or complications that prolong their stay after taking this pill.

Mostly it’s good to seek more information from your medical practitioners before taking this pill.

Advantages Of Taking The Abortion Pill?

These are some advantages of taking the abortion pill:

1. The abortion pill is not invasive. It does not require any incision or surgery to terminate the pregnancy.
2. This method is 100% effective when done within 24 weeks of pregnancy.
3. No further treatment is needed after taking the two doses of abortion pill medication.
4. It happens in a home environment. I mean, the medication is taken in the privacy of their homes.
5. Some women feel it is natural, whereas some don’t.

Disadvantages Of Taking The Abortion Pill?

These are some disadvantages of taking the abortion pill:

1. Therefore, the risk of incomplete abortions and needing further surgery (D&C) is higher with medical abortions than surgical abortions done at a clinic under proper hygiene conditions.
2. Its time consuming compared to surgical abortions.
3. Some women feel pain and discomfort after taking the pill, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting.
4. Some women may experience bleeding that can last from a few hours to a week or two.
5. The success rate of the abortion pill is only 95%; this means 5% of women will have to undergo a surgical abortion to complete the process.

Side Effects And Complications After Taking The Abortion Pill

Common side effects after taking the abortion pill that occur in less than 1% of cases are:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding requires you to go to the emergency room for treatment. This is rare and occurs in 0.1% of cases. If it happens to you, head to the emergency room immediately if you cannot stop the heavy bleeding. Also, go to an emergency room if you are experiencing sharp chest pain or shortness of breath.
• For some women, signs and symptoms of pregnancy continue, such as sickness, tender breasts, and morning sickness.
• Abdominal pain or discomfort like cramps, feeling bloated, or fever.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Dizziness or faintness.

Complications After Taking The Abortion Pill Can Include:

The Severe Difficulty Can Occur When:

• Hemorrhage {hefty bleeding} occurs, and the patient needs a blood transfusion to prevent death.
• The abortion pill did not work: there’s still a pregnancy inside the uterus, and it did not pass out of the uterus. The fetus and placenta continue to grow inside the woman’s body. If this happens, surgery has to be done to remove them from the uterus.
• Severe infection in the uterus due to incomplete abortion.
• Injury or death to the uterus caused by the uterine muscles contracting.
• Bleeding from a tear in the uterus wall

Signs Of An Allergic Reaction Include:

• Upset stomach and throwing up.
• Skin rash. Redness, swelling, itching, and hives on the skin.
• breathing,
• hoarseness,
• hives,
• swelling of the face and lips,
• rapid pulse,
• anxiety and feeling faint.

Self-Care After Abortion Pill

After having a procedure, it is recommended that you do not:

• have vaginal sex
• go swimming or have a bath {you can shower}
• insert anything into your vagina{do not use tampons until text period}
• do strenuous activity like jogging or work involving heavy lifting
• Be left alone for the first 24 hours after taking Mifeprex, as symptoms can worsen and cause complications before you are aware of them. If symptoms do not improve within two days {48 hours}, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Conclusion:

The abortion pill is safe and effective for early pregnancies.However, it’s never a good idea to take medication without first consulting your doctor or medical practitioner.

This method only works if you are within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy and you’re not more than seven weeks after LMP {last menstrual period}.The best thing to do before deciding what method of abortion is suitable for you is to speak with your doctor or medical practitioner.If you are healthy and have an uncomplicated pregnancy, this might be the best option for you.

Both women and their partners must understand all the information about how it works, its side effects after taking the abortion pill, and how to take care of yourself after an abortion.If you have any questions/concerns, speak with your doctor or medical practitioner.