Are you considering the abortion pill and wondering if you might be eligible? Navigating this decision can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone.
Let’s explore the eligibility criteria, providing you with the information you need to make an informed choice. Whether you’re seeking clarity or reassurance, we’re here to help you understand your options and confidently take the next steps.
You don’t have to take that step alone. AscentCare can provide you with all the details you’ll want to know about abortion. We can also provide you with essential pregnancy services that help you feel equipped. You can reach out to us for no-cost and confidential support.
What Is The Abortion Pill Method?
The abortion pill is a medical or medication form of abortion. It uses two drugs over a 24 to 48-hour period to terminate a pregnancy.
The first drug, usually taken in a clinic, blocks the uterus from absorbing the progesterone hormone. This hormone is necessary for your pregnancy to develop. Without progesterone, the pregnancy is terminated.
The second drug, taken at home, causes cramping, contractions, and bleeding to remove the pregnancy from the woman’s body.
Could I Be Ineligible?
There are a variety of situations where taking the abortion pill would not be advised due to possible complications that could arise.
Here’s a short list of some of those cases where the abortion pill would not be an option for you:
- Your pregnancy is further than ten week gestation.
- You have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
- You have a suspected ectopic pregnancy, which is a life-threatening situation.
- You have certain medical conditions, including bleeding disorders; certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
- You take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines.
- You can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care.
- You have an allergy to the medicine used.
This is not an exhaustive list, so it’s recommended you check in with a trusted provider to make sure you’re eligible.
New York must comply with the FDA-approved use of the abortion pill method. You are eligible to use the abortion pill to end a pregnancy through 70 days of gestation only. That is 70 days or less since the first day of your last menstrual period.
Risks of Taking the Abortion Pill
According to the Mayo Clinic, these are the risks of taking the abortion pill:
- Incomplete abortion
- An ongoing unwanted pregnancy
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Knowing how far along you are in your pregnancy is crucial. Only an ultrasound can accurately date a pregnancy.
There’s a Chance You Aren’t Pregnant
There is up to a 20% chance of miscarriage for known pregnancies. The number may be higher since many women miscarry without realizing they’re pregnant. If you’ve already miscarried, there’s no need for an abortion.
You can still get a positive pregnancy test result even if you’ve miscarried because it takes a while for a woman’s body to release all the pregnancy hormones. An ultrasound will determine if you’ve miscarried.
At AscentCare, we want you to have the facts about your pregnancy, so we offer no-cost ultrasound scans. In fact, we provide all of our services at no cost.
Ultrasound Provides Other Important Information
In addition to confirming whether your pregnancy is viable or you’ve miscarried and how far along you are, ultrasound provides another essential detail. It confirms the location of your pregnancy.
Some pregnancies, called ectopic, develop outside the uterus and they are extremely dangerous to your health. The abortion pill method won’t remove an ectopic pregnancy. You will need to see another healthcare provider.
See Us First
Before scheduling your medical abortion, visit AscentCare first. We can confirm your pregnancy with a no-cost pregnancy test and ultrasound. You will have the information you need to make a confident decision.
We can also review the abortion pill procedure, what you can expect, and your other options. Schedule an appointment with us today. We are here for you.