What is the difference between a medication abortion and in-clinic abortion?
For ending a pregnancy in the first trimester, there are a few options:
-A medication abortion at a clinic
-A medication abortion online
-An in-clinic procedural abortion
MEDICAL ABORTION (THE ABORTION PILL)
A medication abortion is when you can take pills to end a pregnancy at home (or a location of your choosing). It is approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. The pills cause bleeding in order to pass the pregnancy, similar to an early miscarriage.
You can get a medication abortion two different ways:
1. At a clinic: You will have an in-person visit with a medical provider, who will give you the abortion pills to take at home.
2. Through a telemedicine consultation, like with us: Your consultation is done online from your home, and your provider will mail the medications directly to you - these are the same medications that you would get from a clinic.
IN-CLINIC PROCEDURAL ABORTION
Procedural abortion in the first trimester is performed by a trained provider at a healthcare facility. Gentle suction is used to remove the pregnancy. It can be used for pregnancies up to 12-14 weeks*, depending on your state’s laws.
All of these options are safe and effective, so your choice should be based on what’s important to you.
Is medication abortion the same thing as emergency contraception (like Plan B)?
In short, the answer is no. The abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) are very effective to end a pregnancy, but they cannot be used to prevent a future pregnancy.
-If you have unprotected sex or the condom breaks, you can use emergency contraception (EC), also known as the morning-after pill or Plan B. EC can help stop you from getting pregnant if taken within 3 days of unprotected sex. You can get EC from the drugstore or from a healthcare facility.
It is important to know that you can become pregnant again almost immediately after using the abortion pills. For this reason, it is recommended to use condoms or another form of birth control if you don’t want to get pregnant.
-You can get condoms, female condoms, sponges, and spermicide at your drugstore. Condoms are the only method that protect against sexually transmitted infections.
-There are many different birth control options available - including pills, the patch, the vaginal ring, and many more. The implant and the IUD are great options, too.
-If you're interested in starting birth control, discuss this with your telemedicine doctore- they will happily answer any questions and send a prescription for you.
Where can I take the abortion medication?
Wherever you’re comfortable, like: your house, a loved one’s house, etc.
How should I prepare for an abortion with pills?
Pick up a few items from your local pharmacy or online store:
-Menstrual pads (not tampons)
-Heating pad
-Over-the-counter pain medicine (ibuprofen is preferred)
Choose a time when you will take each medicine.
The cramping and bleeding usually start a few hours after you take the second medicine (misoprostol), so choose a time when you’ve had a good meal, plenty of rest, and can be in a comfortable, private place (like your home) where you can rest.
Drink plenty of water during the treatment process
Eating lightly (i.e. crackers or toast) may also help with nausea
Review treatment instructions and what to expect
Heavy bleeding, cramping, nausea, fever or chills are common side effects in the first 24 hours after taking the second medicine (misoprostol). Emergencies from this treatment are rare, and most symptoms can be treated from home with pain medicine and rest.
Make a safety plan in case you need emergency medical help. It’s very unlikely, but it’s important to be ready.
-Identify the closest emergency room. You should be able to get there in 1 hour or less.
-Determine how you would get to the emergency room. It’s not safe to drive yourself in an emergency situation.
How do I take the abortion pills?
A huge benefit of abortion pills is you can perform the abortion privately. The patient performs the abortion by taking the medications. Below are the steps to take the abortion pills:
Step 1: Swallow one mifepristone (200 mg) pill with water.
Wait 24-48 hours.
Choose a time to start Step 2 when you’ve had a good meal and plenty of rest. 30 minutes before Step 2, take 800 mg of ibuprofen (4 over-the-counter tablets). This will help decrease your cramps and bleeding, which usually start a few hours after Step 2.
Step 2: Place 4 (four) misoprostol pills (800 mcg) inside your vagina OR between your cheeks and gums for 30 minutes
You must complete Step 2 even if you have started bleeding.
Vaginal: Either in a squatting position or lying on your back or side, use your finger to push 4 misoprostol tablets, one by one, deep into your vagina (at least one finger’s distance inside). After the pills are inserted, lie down and wait for 30 minutes.
Buccal (between cheeks and gums): Put 2 misoprostol pills on one side of your mouth (between your cheek and gums), and the other 2 on the other side of your mouth. Wait 30 minutes for the pills to dissolve, then swallow what is left of the pills. It is okay to swallow your saliva as the pills dissolve.
The medicine will work the same if you take it in your cheeks (buccally), but it can cause more nausea and other side effects.
Step 3: Place 4 misoprostol pills (800 mcg) between your cheeks and gums for 30 minutes.
You only need to complete Step 3 if:
-You are more than 9 weeks pregnant, wait 4 hours and then complete Step 3
-You are less than 9 weeks pregnant, only complete Step 3 if you have not had bleeding as heavy as a period 24 hours after Step 2.
Put 2 misoprostol pills on one side of your mouth (between your cheek and gums), and the other 2 on the other side of your mouth. Wait 30 minutes for the pills to dissolve, then swallow what is left of the pills.
What should I expect after I take the abortion pills?
Remember that each person’s experience is different and the symptoms can vary from person to person.
Bleeding:
-Heavy bleeding and strong cramps start a bout 1-4 hours after taking the second medicine (misoprostol). Heavy bleeding means the treatment is working.
-Bleeding can be very heavy (usually heavier than your period), sometimes with clots (up to the size of a lemon).
-Heavy bleeding is normal. If you completely soak through 2 maxi pads per hour for at least 2 hours in a row, you are bleeding too much and should seek care. Heavy bleeding can last for a few hours (usually around 6 hours), but usually not more than 24 hours, then gets lighter.
-Use maxi pads so you can tell how much you’re bleeding. You can use tampons when the heavy bleeding lets up.
-If you see pregnancy tissue (usually white or gray in color), it can be flushed down the toilet. You may not see it. The pregnancy is very small.
-It’s normal to have bleeding or spotting for a few days or weeks after treatment. It may start and stop a few times. It should get lighter and lighter.
-Your period should come back in about 4-8 weeks, but this is different for each person
Pain & Cramping: Strong cramping is a normal part of the treatment and usually starts a few hours after taking the second medicine (misoprostol).
Here are some things that can help:
-Take pain medicine, like ibuprofen (or Tylenol if you’re allergic). You can take ibuprofen 800 mg every 8 hours (or Tylenol every 4-6 hours) as neededPut a hot water bottle or heating pad on your belly
-Take a shower
-Sit on the toilet
-Have someone rub your back
-Drink warm tea or soup
You will cramp less and less as the hours and days go by.
Other common symptoms:
-Fever and chills: are common during the first 24 hours after taking the second medicine (misoprostol). Ibuprofen or Tylenol can help. This should go away within 24 hours.
-Headache: ibuprofen or Tylenol can help
-Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea: this should go away in 1 or 2 days after you take the pills.
-Feeling tired: you may feel tired for 1 or 2 days. You should be back to normal soon.
-Breast changes: tenderness should go away within a week. You may leak a milky discharge. Wear a snug-fitting bra if you do. This should stop in a couple days.
When can I go back to my regular activities? It is safe to go back to your regular activities -- school, work, driving, exercise -- as soon as you feel up to it.
-You can eat normally before, during, and after the treatment.
-You can have sex and/or use tampons whenever you are ready.
-You can take a shower or bath as soon as you want to.
You should start to feel better each day after treatment. Please let us know if you don’t.
Sadness or mood changes: You may feel relieved when the abortion is over. You may also feel sad or moody, which is normal and can come from hormonal changes now that you’re no longer pregnant. If you think your emotions are not what they should be, please talk to us.
How will I know the abortion pills worked?
You should have cramping and bleeding after taking the second medicine (misoprostol), usually as heavy or heavier than your period.
Your pregnancy symptoms (nausea, breast soreness) should start to go away and disappear within about 1 week after using the pills. This is a good sign that you are no longer pregnant.
A pregnancy test will stay positive for about 4 weeks after the treatment (even if you are no longer pregnant), so it’s important not to take one sooner.
In the rare event that the treatment does not work, the abortion must be completed, since misoprostol has a small risk of birth defects. Additionally, if you have not passed the pregnancy after taking the medications, you may need to be evaluated at a healthcare facility to make sure you do not have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus).
What symptoms should I be concerned about after taking the abortion pills?
If you have any of the following at any time:
-You soak more than 2 maxi pads an hour for more than 2 hours in a row
-Belly pain or cramps that don’t get better with pain medicine or a heating pad
-Dizziness or vomiting lasting more than 4 hours
-Weakness, nausea, or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
If you have any of these at least 24 hours after taking the misoprostol pills in Step 2:
-Cramping or bleeding is not getting better
-You have a fever of 101 F or higher (fever is common during the first 24 hours) - always check your temperature with a thermometer
-You have not had bleeding as heavy as a periodY
-our belly pain is getting worseYou start to feel very ill after the heavy cramping and bleeding is over
One week after taking the pills, if you have any of the following:
-You do not feel that you passed the pregnancy
-Your pregnancy symptoms (such as nausea and breast tenderness/soreness) are not getting better
-Cramping or bleeding is not getting better
-You have a fever of 101 F or higher (fever is common during the first 24 hours)
-Your belly pain is getting worse