Before you understand how the abortion pill works, it’s important to understand what it is. If you’re not sure, learn more about the abortion pill first.
After you understand what the abortion pill is, read on to learn about how it works.
The Two Pills of a Medication Abortion
There are two pills involved in an “abortion pill” abortion. At the time of this article, mifepristone, used with misoprostol is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to end a pregnancy through 10 weeks gestation (70 days or less since the first day of the last menstrual period).
- Mifepristone. The first abortion pill works by cutting off the supply of progesterone from the female’s body to the developing fetus. Progesterone is a critical hormone for supporting an early pregnancy. Blocking it causes the demise of the pregnancy.
- Misoprostol. The second pill is taken 24-48 hours later. The second abortion pill works by causing heavy cramping followed by heavy bleeding that expels the pregnancy from the uterus.
A medication abortion can also be done by taking only misoprostol, but there is a higher risk of complications. Misoprostol alone works 85 – 95% of the time. At the time of this article, medication abortions in the U.S. almost always use a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol.
What Does it Feel Like to Take the Abortion Pill
After taking the first pill, mifepristone, it’s likely you will not feel anything. After taking the second pill misoprostol, cramping and bleeding will begin. The heaviest bleeding and cramping happen during the first 24 hours. The further along the pregnancy is, the more discomfort a patient may experience. It will be more intense than the cramping and bleeding for normal menstruation.
Other common side effects along with bleeding and cramping include chills, nausea, and fever. If nausea, vomiting, fever, or diarrhea persist more than 24 hours after taking the second pill, you should call the doctor as these symptoms could be a sign of infection.
Get More Information About Abortion From Jewel Women’s Center
At Jewel, you’ll find a safe place to get more information about abortion, the abortion pill, risks, and side effects. We offer pregnancy options consultations at no cost. Contact Jewel today.