What is the
Abortion Pill?
What
is the abortion pill? What does it do? How much does it cost? These are all
questions you might be asking yourself if you find yourself unexpectedly
pregnant. If you are pregnant and aren’t sure what to do next, it’s totally
normal. Truth is, even women who do want children experience second thoughts
and anxiety when facing unplanned pregnancy. The most important thing is to be
fully educated and knowledgeable of all your options and how your ultimate
decision will affect your life.
What is the abortion
pill?
Because
they’re both pills, the abortion pill is often confused with Plan B. Plan B, an
emergency contraceptive, is very different than the abortion pill, which is an
actual abortion procedure. The main difference in the two is where the pills are
received and how far along in pregnancy you can take them. Plan B is available
over-the-counter and is taken immediately after intercourse, up to 72 hours
after unprotected sex or birth control failure. The abortion pill, also known
as RU-486 and Mifeprex, must be administered from a medical professional and
can be taken up to 10 weeks after intercourse, but is more successful the
earlier its taken.
How does the
abortion pill work?
The
abortion pill is a two-step process. A medical professional administers the
first pill and the second pill is taken on your own at home, up to 48 hours
later. The first pill stops your body from producing a hormone that is needed
to further develop the fetus, while the second works to remove the tissue and
empty the uterus, having the same effects on your body as a miscarriage. There
is no set amount of time on how long it will take to start to empty the uterus
after taking the second pill. You will likely experience severe cramping and
bleeding during this process.
Am I eligible for
the abortion pill?
The
abortion pill is 98 percent effective if taken in the first eight weeks of
pregnancy, but can be taken up to
10 weeks after conception. In the event the procedure fails and is not
successful, a surgical abortion will be required. To determine how far along
you are, schedule a no-cost limited
obstetrical ultrasound with a pregnancy care center, like ABBA, A Women’s
Resource Center.
After
passing the eligibility period for the abortion pill, it’s important to consider
state laws for other procedures. In the state of Maine, aside from
health-related exceptions, it is illegal to have an abortion if the fetus is
viable, meaning that it could successfully live outside the womb. Fetuses are
usually viable around the end of the second trimester, sometimes third
trimester. In addition, women under the age of 18 require parental, guardian or
an adult family member’s consent before receiving the procedure.
What are the
complications of the abortion pill?
One
of the biggest complications and potential harm to your health is not following
up with a doctor after the procedure. Many women who experience severe and
life-threatening side effects because of the abortion pill is a result of not
following up with a medical professional. Following up after the process lets
the doctor see if further assistance will be needed, considering your physical
and mental health. Many women experience PTSD after abortion procedures and
greatly benefit from post-abortion counseling. In addition, if the abortion
were to not be completely successful, further medical attention to remove the
fetus will be needed.
* * *
If
you’re experiencing unplanned pregnancy and would like more information about
your options, schedule a free and confidential appointment with ABBA A Women’s
Resource Center. Our professional staff will provide you with resources and
answer any additional questions you may have so you can make the best decision
for your health.
ABBA A Women’s
Resource Center does not perform or refer for abortions.
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