Am I Eligible for the Abortion Pill?

Not every woman is eligible for the abortion pill. Certain factors make a complication more likely, so it’s critical to know where you stand before you decide. Here is how the pill works, who shouldn’t take it, and the one step that protects your health first.

How does the abortion pill work?

The abortion pill is actually a combination of two powerful drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.

Mifepristone is taken first. It blocks progesterone in your body. Progesterone is an essential hormone that’s necessary for your pregnancy to develop. Without progesterone, your uterine lining will loosen and shed, causing your pregnancy to detach and end.

Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone. It causes your uterus to contract, expelling your pregnancy out through your vagina.

After taking these drugs, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping, and some women have reported (opens in a new tab) that the pain is unexpectedly severe.

Furthermore, you will pass the pregnancy at home, which can be a distressing visual for some women.

What factors make me ineligible?

Not every woman is eligible for the abortion drugs. Certain factors make you more likely to experience a complication, so it’s critical to determine your eligibility to protect your health.

If any of the following situations (opens in a new tab) apply to you, you should not take the abortion drugs:

• Your pregnancy is further than 10 week gestation. Some types of medical abortion aren’t done after seven weeks of pregnancy.
• You have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
• You have a suspected ectopic pregnancy (opens in a new tab), which is a life-threatening situation.
• You have certain medical conditions, including bleeding disorders; certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
• You take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines.
• You can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care.
• You have an allergy to the medicine used.

How can I protect my health?

Before seeking the abortion drugs, it’s vital to get an ultrasound. This is the only way to determine your pregnancy’s gestational age, which is one of the most critical factors for determining whether you’re eligible for the abortion drugs. Ultrasound will also give you other important details about your pregnancy, including its location and viability.

The Well Clinic offers free, limited ultrasounds and medically accurate information about abortion, so you have what you need to make a safe, informed decision. Schedule a confidential appointment. You’re not alone in this.

The Well Clinic does not perform or refer for abortions. We provide accurate information about every option so you can make an informed decision.