A medical abortion, also known as “the abortion pill, terminates a pregnancy using two specific drugs. You may be exploring this if you’ve recently discovered you’re unexpectedly pregnant, but it’s essential to be aware of all the details.

Are you still exploring your options? Visit the Women’s Clinic of the Antelope Valley for a free appointment to review your options and receive free pregnancy services. 

How Does It Work?

A medical abortion uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. It is typically started at an abortion clinic and completed at home.

First, mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone. Hours to days later, a woman takes misoprostol to cause the uterus to contract and expel the fetus and its related tissue out of the vagina. This procedure comes with abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding.

Medical abortion is only FDA-approved through the first ten weeks (70 days) of pregnancy. 

Side Effects And Risks

The most common side effects are vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping, but users may experience headaches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. 

While women often take the abortion pill at home without medical supervision, it is still a serious procedure. As with any medical procedure, it is not without potential risks. These risks include:

• Infection
• Fever
• Incomplete abortion (which may require surgical treatment)
• An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs don’t work)
• Digestive system discomfort
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding

Confirm Your Pregnancy First

Before seeking a medical abortion, it’s crucial to collect key details about your pregnancy. While you may have taken a pregnancy test at home, get your result confirmed with us at the Women’s Clinic of the Antelope Valley. 

From there, you can get a free limited OB ultrasound to confirm that the fetus is located within the uterus, confirm the heartbeat, and determine the gestational age (how many weeks pregnant you are).

These are essential first steps to take to safeguard your health and wellness. Our professional and compassionate team is here to help you navigate your options in a safe and confidential environment.

Reach out to us today!