If you are thinking about taking the abortion pill you probably are wondering what to expect after you take it. Educating yourself on something that can affect your body is a good first step!
With any procedure or medication comes potential side effects to be aware of. Here is what you can expect after taking the abortion pill and what each abortion pill’s side effects are.
What are each abortion pill’s side effects?
The abortion pill, also referred to as a medical abortion, is actually a combination of two pills called mifepristone and misoprostol. Each pill has a specific purpose in the abortion process and can bring about its own side effects and risks.
What to expect after taking Mifepristone:
Mifepristone is what ends your pregnancy by blocking progesterone (the hormone needed to grow the pregnancy). You may not feel any different after taking this drug, but some women feel nauseous or have vaginal spotting or bleeding.
Common side effects that occur within 2 to 24 hours of taking the medication include:
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- Uterine cramping
- Back pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Headache
What to expect after taking Misoprostol:
Misoprostol is taken 48 hours after mifepristone. This drug softens the cervix, causes the uterus to contract, and prepares the body to expel the pregnancy.
This drug will cause intense cramping and heavy bleeding. Cramping and bleeding vary from woman to woman, but typically the most intense pain and heavy bleeding lasts for several hours as the pregnancy passes from the uterus. During this time, you will pass blood clots, some up to the size of a lemon. After the abortion is complete, bleeding and spotting can last several weeks.
Common side effects that begin 1 to 4 hours after taking the medication include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Passing large blood clots and pregnancy tissue
Other more serious side effects from the abortion pill include:
- Incomplete abortion
- Heavy bleeding that requires surgery
- Blood clots in uterus
- Serious infection
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain
Are there any mental and emotional side effects of the abortion pill?
A lot of women feel different emotions after having an abortion. Some feel relief, while some feel deep sadness. Emotional and mental side effects can be immediate or appear later as time passes.
Common mental side effects include:
- Relationship problems
- Substance abuse
- Depression and anxiety
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Complicated grief
- PTSD symptoms
- Anger
- Shame and guilt
- Sleep problems and bad dreams
- Avoiding and distracting yourself
- Feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
- Negative feelings about yourself and others
Having a previous history of mental health problems or experiencing a sense of isolation may indicate a higher risk of depression when taking the abortion pill.
If you are experiencing emotions that are not typical for you, contact a medical health provider as soon as possible. At Thrive Women’s Clinic we to be a safe and confidential place for you to process and heal. Make an appointment today.
Are there long-term side effects of the abortion pill?
The abortion pill has a complication rate four times higher than a surgical abortion, and as many as 1 in 5 women will suffer a complication.
While the abortion pill has not been studied enough to be directly linked to long-term side effects, it has been linked to future pregnancy complications. These include:
- Miscarriage
- Mental health disorders (generally secondary as a result of emotional stress)
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Pregnancy loss
Generally, complication risks increase with gestational age.
Texas Law and the abortion pill
In Texas, all forms of abortion, including the abortion pill, are illegal. This does not interfere with medical emergency care, such as miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
Ordering the abortion pill online can be risky and is not recommended. Many online abortion pill providers do not meet FDA requirements that are set in place to protect you and your health. Often times these pills are retrieved from overseas and may be counterfeit, tampered with, or contain incorrect dosage.
What should I do if my side effects persist?
If you are bleeding through more than 2 regular-sized sanitary pads per hour for more than two hours, run a fever over 100.4 F, or are passing blood clots the size of a lemon, call your nearest emergency room.
For the emergency room staff to properly treat you, you must be truthful about taking the abortion pill.
Where Can I Learn More?
We want to provide you with real answers. Learn more about the abortion pill and what pregnancy option is right for you at Thrive Women’s Clinic. You deserve to make an educated decision about what is best for you.
Make a free appointment today at one of our locations in Central Dallas, West Dallas, or Irving.