If pregnancy wasn’t part of your plan, you may be in a bit of a panic. If you are considering a medical abortion and need information, you’ve landed in a good spot. At Little Way, we believe that information is power as you sort through your options and determine your next steps. A good decision is a fully informed decision.
LET’S DISCUSS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICAL ABORTION.
What is a Medical Abortion?
A medical abortion involves taking medications to end a pregnancy. You may hear it referred to as a “medication abortion,” “chemical abortion,” or “the abortion pill.” The FDA has approved the use of pills for medical abortion up until ten weeks of pregnancy.1
How Does a Medical Abortion Work?
A medical abortion uses two medications—mifepristone and misoprostol. Both must be prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.
The first medication, mifepristone, interferes with progesterone receptors so that the pregnancy stops progressing. The second medication, misoprostol, causes the uterus to cramp and expel the pregnancy.2
What to Know Before a Medical Abortion
If you’re considering a medical abortion, these are the things you’ll need to know:
How far along am I? It’s important to know how far along you are, as the abortion pill can only be taken up to 10 weeks gestation (as mentioned above). An ultrasound is the most accurate way to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Is the pregnancy ectopic? If you have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus), you need immediate medical attention, and a medical abortion would not be effective. An ultrasound can determine if the pregnancy is in the uterus, which would rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
Is medical abortion legal in Kentucky? Currently, abortion is illegal in Kentucky. However, exceptions can be made in the case of life endangerment to the pregnant mother. 3
Call Little Way for a free ultrasound 502-583-2151. Or schedule an appointment.
Who Can Prescribe a Medical Abortion?
Both mifepristone and misopristol must be prescribed by a qualified abortion provider. After verifying the viability and location of the pregnancy via an ultrasound, the abortion provider will rule out contraindications to an abortion such as an ectopic pregnancy, drug allergies, blood thinning disorders, an IUD, or other medical disorders.4
Women should never order abortion pills online from a pharmacy not approved by the FDA. The FDA has not evaluated those facilities or pills for safety,5 and therefore, the pills could contain the wrong type of medication, the wrong amount, or could be contaminated – you just don’t know what you are getting.
What are Medical Abortion Side Effects and Complications?
Medical abortions side effects include nausea, vomiting, bleeding and cramping as the pregnancy is expelled from the uterus. Clots often accompany heavy bleeding. Cramping can be mild to moderate to severe. If a woman bleeds through one thick pad in an hour, she should seek immediate medical care, as her life might be at risk.
Further complications can include hemorrhaging (very heavy bleeding), an infection, an allergic reaction, or an incomplete abortion, all of which could be extremely serious and require further medical intervention.7
Many women also experience emotional side effects, including increased anxiety, depression, withdrawal, harmful thoughts, and regret. While physical side effects occur almost immediately after a procedure, emotional side effects can sometimes take years to present themselves.
How Long Do You Bleed After Medical Abortion?
Bleeding after a medical abortion typically lasts for about 9 to 16 days8, but could last up to three weeks.9 All women who have an abortion should receive follow-up care – to be evaluated for complications as well as to confirm the abortion is complete.
Who Is Not Eligible For a Medical Abortion?
Here are reasons a woman may not be eligible for a medical abortion10:
Over ten weeks pregnant. (FDA only approves to 10 weeks)
Have an IUD (Intrauterine Device).
Ectopic pregnancy. A pregnancy located outside of the uterus can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical care. An ultrasound can verify that the pregnancy is in the right place.
A clotting disorder or some other medical condition. Speak with a healthcare professional prior to considering an abortion.
No access to emergency care. In the case that a woman experiences complications after a medical abortion, she must have access to emergency care.
How Much Does a Medical Abortion Cost?
A medical abortion, or abortion pills, can cost between $500 to $950.11 These costs often include fees for ultrasounds, blood tests, medications, and follow-up appointments.
Contact Little Way for a free ultrasound today!
Do Medical Abortions Always End the Pregnancy?
Up to 8% of women who take the abortion pill require a further surgical procedure because the abortion was incomplete.12 If the mother chooses (and the pregnancy is still viable), she can seek help to continue the pregnancy through support of an organization called Abortion Pill Reversal.
What Are Options Other than a Medical Abortion?
If a woman is further along than ten weeks pregnant, has verified that the pregnancy is not ectopic, and doesn’t have medical conditions that would contraindicate an abortion, then she may be eligible for a surgical abortion. In a surgical abortion, a medical provider uses instruments to remove the baby from the uterus.13
Little Way can also provide education on a woman’s other two pregnancy options: parenting and adoption, as well as information and connections to support agencies.
Medical Abortion Information in Louisville, KY
When faced with an unexpected pregnancy, there really is not an easy answer. Whether you choose abortion, parenting, or adoption, you will be changed on the other side – At Little Way, we want to provide you with all the information and support that you need, so you can make the best decision for yourself. Call us today at (502) 532-2833 to speak with our compassionate and qualified medical team.
Appointments // Free Services // Your Options // Abortion Info
This information is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice. Little Way does not offer ongoing prenatal care, perform or refer for abortions, nor place for adoptions.
Sources
- FDA. (2023, March 23). Information about Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Medical Abortion. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion
- Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of the Attorney General. (2022, June 24). Human Life Protection Act. Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Retrieved from https://www.ag.ky.gov/Press%20Release%20Attachments/Human%20Life%20Protection%20Act%20Advisory.pdf
- See source #1.
- See source #1.
- Danco Laboratories, LLC. (2022). MEDICATION GUIDE: Mifeprex. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020687s014lbl.pdf
- See source #6.
- See source #6.
- See source #2.
- See source #6.
- As advertised by abortion providers in August 2024.
- See source #6.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, November 7). Dilation and curettage (D&C). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910
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