Questions to ask before taking the abortion pill?
Are you looking for the Abortion Pill? Worried about being pregnant? Before taking the abortion pill, we have information to help you.
Here are three questions to ask before taking the Abortion Pill:
- Am I pregnant? — Did I miss my period? Have I taken a pregnancy test? You should not take the Abortion Pill unless you confirmed a pregnancy.
- Is there someone with whom I feel safe discussing these things? CPC provides a safe place to have a no cost pregnancy test and explore your options.
- Am I healthy? — Am I anemic? Do I know my blood type? Abortion Pills are not advised for women with anemia53 unless supervised by a physician.
- Do I know my blood type? Women with Rh negative51 blood types should be sure to consult with the doctor before taking Abortion Pills in order to prevent Rh incompatibility in the next pregnancy.
- How far along am I? — How far along am I? Am I sure of the date of my last period? Abortion Pills are not recommended for women who are more than 70 days past their last period (10 weeks).
- What about spotting or light bleeding? Was that a period or just spotting? It can be hard to know exactly how pregnant you are without doing an ultrasound. We offer ultrasounds free of charge to help provide dates for early pregnancy.
We can help you answer all of these questions during a no-cost pregnancy test and ultrasound appointment. Your partner, friend or family member is invited to join you for this visit.
Are there side-effects or other cautions about Abortion Pills?
- Yes. Bleeding and pain are the main concerns.
- Side effects also include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever or chills.
- The abortion pills have four times 50 higher risk of complications55 than than a surgical procedure in the first trimester.
- The leading risk is excessive bleeding. Recent studies49 have also shown that at-home abortions using the abortion pill causes “severe pain” for one third of women taking it. Ask your health care professional about suitable pain relief methods before you choose this option.
- Abortion is also associated with psychological issues52 such as grief and depression. Many women choose a surgical abortion to avoid expelling the pregnancy when home alone.54
By making your choice wisely, you can prepare and help yourself to work through this very challenging decision. We are here to guide and support you.