15 May Facts About Medical Abortion You Might Not Know
Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, terminates an early pregnancy using the prescription drugs mifepristone and misoprostol.
What do you know about the abortion pill? Here are six facts you might not have known.
1. The FDA Approved Medical Abortion in 2000.
Medical abortion is the newest type of abortion procedure. The FDA approved its use in the year 2000 with restrictions. They approved the generic form of the drug regimen in 2019.
2. The Abortion Pill Is Only FDA-Approved for the First Ten Weeks of Pregnancy.
The FDA has only approved the use of medical abortion through the first ten weeks or 70 days of pregnancy. This means getting an ultrasound before moving forward with a medical abortion is a critical step to ensure women are not taking the abortion drugs when they are too far along.
3. Women with IUDs Should Not Take the Abortion Pill.
Women who currently have an IUD in place should not take the abortion pill until the IUD has been removed.
4. The Abortion Pill Does Not Treat Ectopic Pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube. The abortion pill cannot treat an ectopic pregnancy because it is not inside the uterus.
It’s crucial to screen for ectopic pregnancies with an ultrasound scan before taking the abortion pill. This scan prevents women from experiencing life-threatening complications from an untreated ectopic pregnancy.
5. Not All Abortion Pill Suppliers Are the Same.
You may see online ads for abortion pills from overseas suppliers or online pharmacies.
Unless the FDA oversees these suppliers, you cannot verify you received the correct drug in the right dosage or be sure of the quality or safety. The FDA advises against buying abortion pills online.
6. Some Women May Require a Rhlg Shot After Abortion.
If a woman has a negative blood type, such as A- or B-, she may require an Rhlg shot after the abortion pill to prevent issues during future pregnancies.
This shot is due to potential Rhesus factor (Rh) incompatibility. If the fetus has a positive blood type (possessing the Rh protein), and the woman’s body detects the positive blood during an abortion, her immune system will produce antibodies that could impact future pregnancies.
An Rhlg or RhoGAM shot after the abortion can prevent an immune response to protect future pregnancies.
Want to Learn More?
We barely scratched the surface with all you need to know about the abortion pill. However, there’s one fact that shouldn’t be overlooked: an ultrasound can help protect your health and safety before an abortion.
Schedule a no-cost appointment with Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center for early pregnancy services, such as pregnancy testing and ultrasound, and to ask questions and receive information on your options. We’re here to be a resource for you.