Should I Take the Abortion Pill?
Unplanned pregnancies often lead women to consider taking the abortion pill as their first option; however, it may not even be a choice they have to make. Before making a decision to take the abortion pill, determining fetus viability should be the first step.
Determination of Viability Prior to Taking The Abortion Pill
A woman should confirm that she is actually pregnant before taking the abortion pill. Home pregnancy tests may show a positive result due to pregnancy hormones, but it does not necessarily mean the pregnancy is viable. A positive pregnancy test only indicates the possibility of pregnancy. Miscarriages are common in early pregnancies and can occur in 1 out of 4 cases. It is possible that hCG levels are still present in many of these early miscarriages. It is therefore possible to have a positive pregnancy test without actually being pregnant at the same time. In the absence of viability or heartbeat, a woman will not have a decision to make regarding pregnancy termination. An ultrasound can help determine this.
Ultrasounds Prior to Taking the Abortion Pill: Why They Are Important
In the event that you are pregnant, the next step is to determine whether the pregnancy is viable and how far along you are. A fetus must be implanted in the uterus and have a heartbeat in order to be considered viable. An ultrasound is the best tool for determining both criteria. A pregnancy ultrasound can assess the progress of the pregnancy inside the uterus early on. It is increasingly important for women who have experienced miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies to undergo ultrasounds.
Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. Surgery is necessary to treat this life-threatening condition. When considering abortion, especially the abortion pill, determining whether a pregnancy is ectopic is very important. The abortion pill will not affect an ectopic pregnancy, so if taken without an ultrasound to determine pregnancy location, it may cause harm. Ectopic pregnancy may continue after taking the abortion pill, and the fetus may grow and develop, posing a life-threatening situation for the mother.
An ultrasound will allow the mother to get additional information about her fetus at that point in the pregnancy. If fetal heat tones are not detected during an ultrasound, it could mean the pregnancy is earlier in development. If that is not the case, a natural miscarriage will result, eliminating the need to make a decision.
Facts About the Abortion Pill
The abortion pill is also known as a “medical” abortion or “chemical” abortion. Women who take the abortion pill will often do so in their own home, giving rise to the common terminology of “at-home” abortion and “self-managed abortion.”
The pharmaceutical names for the abortion pill are Mifeprex, Mifepristone, and RU-486. It is given to a pregnant woman up to 10 weeks of their last menstrual period.
The series of pills are taken over a period of three days. Mifepristone is taken on day one, causing the embryo’s death. On days 2 and 3, misoprostol induces cramping and the expelling of the baby. Cramping can be severe, and bleeding usually lasts one to two weeks. In addition, the woman may see identifiable parts of the baby is she is beyond 8 weeks in her pregnancy. Follow ups with the doctor are necessary to determine if the procedure is complete.
Side Effects of the Abortion Pill
The following side effects are noted as typical after taking the abortion pill:
- Abdominal pain
- Severe cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Chills
Potential Risks of the Abortion Pill
- While some bleeding is common after taking the abortion pill, 1% of women bleed enough to require a D&C to stop the bleeding.
- Sepsis infection can be caused by body parts that fail to expel after taking the abortion pill. This has been reported as a rare complication of the abortion pill.
- If an ectopic pregnancy is undiagnosed, taking the abortion pill can cause serious harm. If not treated early, there is a risk of the tube bursting, internal hemorrhage, and sometimes death.
- Abortion pills may not cause an abortion, resulting in a failed abortion. A surgical abortion is usually performed to complete the failed medical abortion.