Step 1:
Physical Exam
A doctor should provide a
physical exam that includes an ultrasound to determine if the woman has a viable pregnancy in the uterus. STI testing and treatment is also recommended prior to the abortion.
Step 2:
The First Pill
If eligible, the woman will take
the first set of pills, Mifepristone, at the clinic. This medication is FDA approved for women within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. It blocks progesterone, which is a hormone produced to provide vital nutrients to the developing baby.
Step 3:
The Second Pill
The second set of pills, Misoprostol, can be taken at home 24–48 hours later to induce contractions which expel the remains of the baby within several hours or days.
Step 4:
Followup
A follow-up visit is recommended within 1–2 weeks after the abortion. However, not all healthcare professionals offer post-abortion care. It is important to confirm results of the abortion with a physician.
How it Works
What is the Abortion Pill?
Before taking the abortion pill, it is important to ask the right questions. This is a big decision, and you deserve to have all the information.
The abortion pill — also referred to as medical abortion or chemical abortion — is a process that includes taking two types of medications to terminate the pregnancy of a developing baby. This medication is FDA approved for women within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. It is not the morning-after pill.
Abortion pill help in central Ohio
When those two lines first appear, it can cause panic. Don’t let fear make the final decision for you! Get the information and support you deserve.
Risks & Side Effects
The FDA has posted the following warning related to the first abortion pill, Mifepristone:
The abortion pill includes two very strong drugs, and you may experience side effects after taking them. Side effects vary from person to person and no two women’s experiences are alike. Click below for a list of risks and potential side effects of the abortion pill.
If you have taken the first abortion pill, you may be able to reverse the process.
The Abortion Pill Can Be Reversed
Unexpected pregnancies can be scary, and many women make decisions to abort when they are terrified and stressed. However, many change their minds and want to reverse their abortions. That’s where abortion pill reversal comes in.
No woman should feel forced to finish a chemical abortion she regrets starting. Abortion pill reversal can allow you to continue your pregnancy, but time is of the essence. Using the natural hormone progesterone, medical professionals have been able to save 64–68% of pregnancies through abortion pill reversal.*
*Disclaimer: abortion pill reversal has been shown to increase the chances of allowing the pregnancy to continue. However, the outcome of your particular reversal attempt cannot be guaranteed.
How do I Start the Reversal?
Watch Sierra's reversal story. You can call the 24/7 abortion pill reversal helpline at 1.877.558.0333 or chat online at abortionpillreversal.com. A healthcare professional will ask you some basic questions to see if a reversal is possible, and then connect you with a doctor or medical provider in your area to start treatment if that is your choice. PDHC is here for you with free, confidential services that give you the support and information you need, no matter your circumstance.
'I'm nine weeks pregnant. I just took the first pill 30 minutes ago. What can I do?' From there we started the progesterone and then I go to my OB, who was the one that told me that unfortunately there's nothing else you can do. We do an ultrasound and she is astounded! She's like “there's no tearing from the uterine wall, there's no bleeding, there's nothing; it's like there was no interruption at all.” For other women that are in it a circumstance where they're hopeless and they are terrified, it might not make sense financially, it might not make sense emotionally, physically, but you can get through it. You aren’t alone. Even if you feel alone, you’re not. You can do it.
—Sierra
The abortion pill (also known as medication abortion) actually consists of two pills: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Mifepristone is taken first, usually in a clinic. This medication cuts the supply of the hormone progesterone to the embryo, which is needed to maintain the pregnancy. The embryo stops growing without a steady supply of progesterone. Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later at home. This medication makes the uterus cramp and expel the fetus, which ends the pregnancy.
You can’t take the abortion pill beyond 10 weeks of pregnancy (or 70 days since the first day of your last menstrual period). This is because it becomes less effective the farther along you are. If you take the abortion pill later on in your pregnancy, you could experience serious complications and may need emergency surgery to complete the procedure.
At the time of writing (May 2024), abortion is prohibited in Ohio beyond 20 weeks post-conception (or 22 weeks from the last menstrual period). Although Ohio law doesn’t require it, we also recommend receiving an ultrasound beforehand.
Certain pharmacies are now authorized to dispense the abortion pill. However, you can’t purchase it in the same way you would Tylenol or allergy relief medications. The FDA requires a prescription from a qualified physician in order to take the abortion pill.
The FDA advises against ordering the abortion pill online. Many online abortion pill providers are located overseas, so the pills they provide may not meet FDA standards. These pills could be counterfeit, expired, or even tampered with! It’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid ordering the abortion pill online.
Under Ohio law, the abortion pill is covered by insurance for public employees only in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest. The same goes for Medicaid. Additionally, Medicaid enrollees are required to report cases of rape or incest to law enforcement, child protective services, or other government agencies.
You may have to pay out-of-pocket for the abortion pill. As of July 2024, the abortion pill can cost between $500 to $950 without insurance. Prices may vary based on the dosage you need and the provider you purchase it from.
Like any medical procedure, the abortion pill comes with risks and side effects, which could require follow-up care, antibiotics, or even surgery to treat. Examples include:
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Hemorrhaging. It’s normal to bleed for a while after taking the abortion pill. However, if you soak through two full-size sanitary pads per hour, for two or more hours, you could be hemorrhaging.
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Incomplete abortion. Incomplete abortions occur when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after misoprostol has been taken. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove the remaining tissue and prevent infection.
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Infection. If you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever for more than 24 hours after taking the second medication, an infection may have developed. You may need antibiotics or even surgery to treat your condition.
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We get it—finding out that you’re pregnant when you don’t want to be can be scary. It can be easy to spiral at a moment like this. We encourage you to take a deep breath and know that you aren’t alone. You owe it to yourself to make an informed and empowered decision! Before taking the abortion pill, it’s important to receive an ultrasound and understand your pregnancy options.