Tuesday, July 10, 2018


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.

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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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