Every woman’s abortion experience is unique. No one can predict how your body will respond to the drugs used in the abortion pill regimen, so it’s crucial to pay attention to your symptoms. 

Because you take the drugs in your home, you have no immediate medical supervision, which means it can be hard to know when you need emergency care. You can expect bleeding and cramping, but how do you know if you’re bleeding too much or if the pain is too intense?

At Salem Pregnancy Care Center, we dedicate ourselves to safeguarding your health and well-being. We want to provide you with as much information as possible beforehand. 

What Is the Abortion Pill Method?

The abortion pill method uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the hormone progesterone. All pregnancies need progesterone to survive. Without it, the pregnancy cannot continue.

Misoprostol, the second drug, causes bleeding and contractions to expel the pregnancy from the body through the vagina.

The following are some warning signs to be aware of:

Warning Signs of a Serious Complication

“I’m currently in the ER…I ended up coming to the ER after attempting a MA [Medical Abortion] this past weekend. After 48 hours from the last dose of MISO [misoprostol]…I went from a little bleeding to ALOT and severe pain in my back and pelvic area…to the point where I couldn’t stand up straight.”  An Anonymous Reddit User

Not every woman experiences pain and bleeding like the example above, but it is vital to understand that these complications are possible. There are specific symptoms you might experience, like:

  • Upset stomach.
  • Vomiting.
  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Headache.

Then, there are warning signs that indicate you should seek emergency care or speak with your healthcare provider immediately. Those include:

  • Heavy bleeding – soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours in a row.
  • Bad pain in the stomach area or pelvis.
  • Chills or body aches.
  • Fast heart rate.
  • Fever that lasts more than four hours or that starts in the days after you take misoprostol.
  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

Other risks you might experience include:

  • An incomplete abortion, which means your body doesn’t expel all of the pregnancy tissue.
  • An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work.
  • Heavy and prolonged bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Fever.
  • Digestive symptoms such as an upset stomach.

What to Do Next

If you notice any of the above symptoms, go to your nearest emergency room immediately. You must tell the medical professionals that you recently took the abortion pill so they can provide proper care.

If you want more information about the limitations of using the abortion pill regimen, contact Salem Pregnancy Care Center. We offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand all of your options.

You don’t have to go through this alone. The team at Salem Pregnancy Care Center is here for you. Schedule your appointment today.

Salem Pregnancy Care Center does not perform or refer for abortions.

All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.