Are you feeling overwhelmed? Trapped? Spiraling? 

Words are not enough to describe how it feels when life is spinning out of control. Bills unpaid, assignments not turned in, relationships unhealed. How did we get here? 

And now, an unplanned pregnancy too. How could this be possible? 

We know it’s so hard. Before we get to the educational part of this blog, we want to pause and acknowledge the reality of facing an unplanned pregnancy. It’s not easy. You should never feel ashamed of whatever emotions you’re experiencing at this moment. It can feel like you’re drowning, and it takes all your effort to keep your head above water. 

We want to meet you at this moment with love, support, and good information. 

All our services are free, so there’s no need to worry about insurance, co-pays, or anything else. We’re here to support you. We provide free pregnancy confirmation, telehealth consultations, and resource support. Contact us to schedule your appointment and receive the compassionate, nonjudgmental care you deserve. 

Understanding the Abortion Pill

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and deciding what to do, one of the most compassionate things you can do for yourself is to make sure you have a solid understanding of the options available. 

Medical abortion (the abortion pill), is often considered accessible, easy, and “safer than Tylenol.” While some women undergo medical abortions with few or no complications, it is crucial to fully understand the procedure and the physical and emotional risks involved before making this decision, as being informed is the best way to ensure your well-being.

So what is the abortion pill? Let’s start there.

What is the Abortion Pill?

What we call the “abortion pill” actually involves a series of two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol. 

Mifepristone, also known as Mifeprex or RU-486, is the first medication in a medical abortion. This oral medication blocks the hormone progesterone, a hormone necessary to sustain a pregnancy. Without progesterone, the embryo’s growth ceases. 

After mifepristone cuts off essential nourishment, misoprostol is used to induce uterine contractions to expel the embryo or fetus along with pregnancy tissue from the uterus. Misoprostol can be taken vaginally, buccally (between your cheeks and gums), or sublingually (under your tongue). Misoprostol causes cramping and bleeding, emptying the uterus and completing the abortion. 

The process usually takes one to two days. The cramping and bleeding typically starts after the second medication and can last anywhere from several hours to a few days. It’s vital to have support readily available, personal companions and medical professionals, to navigate this process safely and with support.

So that’s what happens in a medical abortion. But what does it feel like?

While it sounds straightforward enough, personal experiences with abortion vary greatly. Intensity of side effects, emotional aftermath, and potential complications differ from person to person. Let’s go through some of the most common possibilities. While you might not experience all of these, being informed and aware helps you make a decision from a place of understanding and consent.

Before Taking the Pill: Essential Steps

Okay, so you might have heard some different ideas about how to get abortion pills, what’s safe, and what’s necessary. Let’s address some of the most common myths around abortion pills. 

MYTH: I don’t need an ultrasound before my abortion.

REALITY: Having an ultrasound before your abortion is an essential step to protect your reproductive health. An ultrasound allows you to see the gestational age of the pregnancy (which determines if you are within FDA-approved limits for taking the abortion pill), the viability of the pregnancy (if it’s progressing normally or if it may be naturally miscarrying), and if there’s an intrauterine pregnancy (reducing the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening and is not treated with the abortion pill). If you plan to get your abortion pills from a telehealth provider, it is very important for you to have an ultrasound performed beforehand, this will determine if an abortion is medically necessary.  At Clearway, we offer free ultrasounds: schedule yours today. 

MYTH: It’s always safe to get my abortion pills online.

REALITY: While some verified online abortion providers exist, you should NEVER obtain abortion pills online from an unknown source. Due to the risk of serious (and sometimes fatal) infections or bleeding, you should also always have access to emergency care and an in-person provider to follow up with. 

MYTH: I can take the pill by myself; no one needs to know.

REALITY: You should have at least one person with you when you take the pills who knows you have taken them. In the case that you experience fainting, hemorrhaging, or other serious complications, someone should be there who can take you to receive emergency care and inform the medical providers about the medications you took.

Pain & Discomfort: What to Expect During a Medical Abortion

First, it’s worth acknowledging that pain is a relatively subjective experience. Everyone has different levels of pain tolerance, so there’s no way to know for sure how much pain you specifically will experience. There is no abortion process that is completely pain-free. Still, it’s best to be prepared.

During the abortion, you will experience cramping and heavy bleeding. The intensity varies. Some compare this to intense period pain. Others compare it to labor and childbirth. If you know someone who’s been through it, talk to them. Your experience will be your own, but it can be helpful to know what someone else went through.

Along with abdominal pain and heavy bleeding, some other common side effects include: 

• Nausea (often worse when misoprostol is taken sublingually) 
• Weakness 
• Fever/chills 
• Vomiting 
• Headache 
• Diarrhea 
• Dizziness 
• Anxiety 
• Fainting 
• Palpitations 

Also note: after 8 weeks gestation, it is possible to feel and see the formed fetus when it passes. This can cause emotional trauma, especially if unexpected. 

Even without any complications, a medical abortion is not a painless procedure. Make sure you’ve set aside sufficient time and space to rest and heal. Drink plenty of fluids and pay attention to signs of complications.

Possible Abortion Pill Complications

Taking the abortion pill puts you at risk of various complications. In fact, one California study of over 54,000 abortions revealed that the rate of complications is four times higher for medical abortions than surgical abortions. 

When it comes to abortion, it’s imperative to ensure your provider has a clear understanding of your medical history and will provide you with follow up care, and that you have access to emergency care. 

Here are some possible complications you’re at risk for:

• Severe bacterial infection/sepsis, with or without fever (may result in death) 
• Severe hemorrhage (requiring surgical intervention or transfusion) 
• Prolonged heavy bleeding (may indicate incomplete abortion or other complications) 
• Ruptured ectopic pregnancy (may result in death) 
• Rupture of the uterus 
• Anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) 

We aren’t telling you this to scare you. You deserve to be well-informed. If you experience any of these complications, the sooner you access emergency care, the better. 

Here are a few signs to pay attention for: 

• Bleeding longer than 14 days and/or heavy bleeding/passage of large blood clots (larger than a golf ball) 
• Fever over 100 degrees 
• Abdominal pain worse than a normal period 
• Signs of infection, such as body aches or general illness 
• Vomiting lasting more than 4 hours 
• Sudden abdominal swelling or rapid heartbeat 
• Vaginal discharge that has increased in amount or has a foul odor 
• Pain, redness, or swelling around the genitals 

Keep talking to your provider. Get follow up care. You matter! Your health matters. Seek care sooner rather than later if you’re experiencing symptoms that concern you. 

Emotional Aftermath of Abortion

While abortion is a physical procedure, it has emotional implications. 

Your expectation might be that an abortion will be like a dentist appointment–unpleasant, but forgettable. You might not expect to experience emotional pain afterwards, and maybe you won’t. Some people don’t, but many do. And you deserve to at least be aware of the possibility. 

You might feel like this should have been an easy decision. Maybe you had already discussed with your partner that if you got pregnant, you’d make the choice to get an abortion. Maybe everything in life is pointing to why now is not the time to have a baby. 

Or, maybe you wrestled a lot with this decision. You might have felt backed into a corner, like there was no other way out. Or you feel you should just get over it and move on; you had no other choice. 

“Should” is a dangerous word in hard moments like these. After an abortion, it’s not uncommon to feel the waves of relief intermingled with feelings of grief and loss. There is no specific way you “should” feel – you experienced a loss, and it was real. Acknowledging rather than suppressing your emotions allows room for healing and growth.

Lean on support networks. At Clearway, we offer free grief support after abortion. You’re not alone. There are people who have been through this too, processed and healed, and are available to walk with you through recovery. If you need support, reach out.

Clearway Clinic: Pre-Abortion Services

Our services exist to support and empower you. 

We offer a free ultrasound, pregnancy testing, and STI testing to confirm your pregnancy. 

We offer free nurse consultations (in-clinic and via telehealth) to review essential information about abortion procedures, assess your medical history, and ask a nurse any questions you have. 

We offer consultations with a patient advocate who will provide you with customized resource referrals for support in the community.

No matter what you’re feeling or experiencing, we’re here to support you, not judge you. You’re not alone! Schedule your appointment today.

Reviewed by Deana G., BSN RN

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Please contact your doctor for more information.