We care about you and your health, and we believe it’s important to be fully informed about your pregnancy options and what to expect if you choose to take the abortion pill, also known as medication abortion or period pill.
What symptoms will I experience if I take the abortion pill?
You will experience pain, cramping, and potentially heavy bleeding after taking the pill.
It’s important to tell someone you can trust before taking the pill, and to know your closest emergency department due to the risk of hemorrhaging.
Learn More: The Abortion Pill from an RN’s Perspective
Women have reported that the experience can be more difficult physically, psychologically, and emotionally than they were prepared for.
Comments on social media echo this experience:
“medical abortion is the hardest most painful thing ive ever experienced”
“Yes! I wish more people knew. I had no idea what to expect at all. Being in the bathroom all alone for hours and days. The pain you feel mentally and physically is so unbearable”
“yes. I thought the pill would be easier. it was genuinely the most traumatic, scary, stressful experience of my life and i’m still so traumatized and depressed. those 48 hours were excruciating and I genuinely have ptsd from it, physically and especially emotionally.”
Abortion Pill Information
We’re here for you. Our team of registered nurses is available to talk through your pregnancy options and answer your questions. You can chat 24/7 with a registered nurse, or make a free appointment for compassionate, confidential care.
Note from our team of registered nurses: For your health and safety, we strongly advise getting an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill. A limited OB ultrasound can confirm how many weeks pregnant you are and ensure the pregnancy is not ectopic (located outside the uterus).
Learn More: Why Get an Ultrasound Before the Abortion Pill?
How Does a Medication Abortion Work?
The abortion pill is a two-part process:
Mifepristone: Blocks progesterone and ends the life of the fetus
- Misoprostol: Induces contractions to expel the fetus
Learn More: How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
If You’ve Taken the Abortion Pill: When to Seek Medical Attention
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately:
- Uncontrolled pain
- Bleeding that causes you to pass out or lose consciousness*
- Fever for more than 24 hours
*Due to this risk, it is advisable to have a support person with you.
Abortion Recovery
You may be experiencing difficult emotions after having an abortion. You’re not alone. Find out more about free abortion recovery resources. Meet one-on-one, join a group, or begin self-guided recovery.