If you’ve taken a home pregnancy test that came back positive, or you’ve missed a period and think you might be pregnant, Gateway Women’s Care is here to help. We offer free, confidential pregnancy services, including lab-quality pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and counseling at our Raleigh and Durham/Chapel Hill locations.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
Medical Abortion Uses Two Drugs
A medical abortion uses two drugs taken in sequence to end a pregnancy. The FDA approves this method through 10 weeks of pregnancy.
The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, the hormone your body needs to sustain a pregnancy, which causes the uterine lining to break down. The second drug, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy and related tissue through vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping.
Although this process typically takes place at home, it is still a medical process with potential side effects and complications that are important to understand beforehand.
Side Effects Vary
Medical abortion causes heavy vaginal bleeding and cramping. Most some women describe the cramping as significantly more intense than a normal period. Bleeding can include large clots and may last several weeks.
Other common side effects include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, and headache.
Risks and Considerations
Medical abortion is not without risks. These include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may require treatment
- Ongoing pregnancy if the drugs do not work as expected
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Infection or fever
Abortion drugs obtained from unverified online sources may increase risks. There is no guarantee the drugs have been stored properly, contain the expected ingredients, or are the correct dosage.
An Ultrasound Provides Important Medical Information
Because a positive pregnancy test only detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), it cannot confirm critical details about your pregnancy. An ultrasound can determine whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus rather than being ectopic, which requires immediate medical care. It can also estimate how far along you are and whether the pregnancy is developing or if a miscarriage has already occurred.
Before making any pregnancy decision, it’s important to have accurate medical information about your pregnancy. Gateway Women’s Care provides free, confidential pregnancy services so you can make an informed decision.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Gateway Women’s Care does not provide or refer for abortions.