As you explore the option of medical abortion, it’s important to know how it works, the side effects, the potential risks, and Georgia’s abortion laws.
At Compass Women’s Clinic of Athens, we offer free medical consultations where you can ask questions and gather information in a non-judgmental environment. You can also verify your pregnancy and protect your health and safety with pregnancy tests and a limited ultrasound scan.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
A medical abortion consists of two different drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
The purpose of the first drug, mifepristone, is to act as an antiprogestin. This means that it blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to sustain a pregnancy. As a result, the pregnancy will end. It is important to know the gestational age of your pregnancy prior to taking the abortion pill due to potential risks that may arise without making a fully informed decision.
Approximately 24-48 hours after taking mifepristone, misoprostol is administered for the next phase of the process. It works to soften the cervix and trigger contractions to expel the embryo or fetus and the pregnancy tissue to empty the uterus.
Risks of a Medical Abortion Procedure
With a medical abortion, you can expect abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Every woman will experience these in varying degrees, but both have to happen to expel the pregnancy.
Additionally, other side effects of medical abortion can include upset stomach, diarrhea, headache, chills, fever, and vomiting.
A few other risks include:
- An incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed up by a surgical procedure
- An ongoing pregnancy (if the procedure fails)
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Abortion can also negatively impact your mental health. According to the research, “Abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.”
It’s vital to think through all aspects of the abortion decision before moving forward. Getting an ultrasound can help confirm gestational age before getting a medical abortion, which can help reduce your risks of a partial or incomplete abortion.
How Can Compass Women’s Clinic of Athens Help Me?
Come to our clinic for free services such as pregnancy confirmation, an ultrasound, or STI testing & treatment.
Abortion is not legal in Georgia after a detectable heartbeat (with limited exceptions). An ultrasound can confirm the gestational age, so you can better understand your options and weigh any health and safety concerns that may come with each decision.
You are not alone or without options. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
We do not refer to or perform abortions. All abortion information cited in this blog is accurate at the time of writing.