When you are going through an unexpected pregnancy, you need to know the truth about the different options available to you. Many women who come to our free and confidential pregnancy center in Prescott, Arizona have questions about the abortion pill and whether it is right for them. Keep reading to learn more about this and other pregnancy options.
Who Can Take the Abortion Pill?
In Arizona, the abortion pill is available to anyone who is less than 10 weeks pregnant when counting from the last day of your last menstrual period. However, there are some restrictions on how you are allowed to pay for the abortion pill that you should know about.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The Abortion Pill is a common early abortion method in the United States. It actually uses two different drugs to induce abortion.
Usage – This drug regimen is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for use in women up to 10 weeks after the start of their last menstrual period.1
Action – The first medication blocks progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that is necessary for the pregnancy to survive. Without progesterone, the embryo eventually dies. The second medication causes cramping, expelling the embryo and uterine contents.2
Side effects – Cramping and bleeding are expected. Bleeding may be like a heavy period. Bleeding can last 9 to 16 days and possibly up to 30 days. Other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, weakness, dizziness, and headache.3
Complications – Possible complications include heavy bleeding requiring surgery to stop the bleeding, and serious infection. Before taking any medication, you should discuss the risks with your doctor and know what to do if complications arise.4
Follow-up – It is important to follow-up with your doctor 1 to 2 weeks after taking this medication regimen to see if an abortion has occurred and to assess for complications.5
What Does it Feel Like to Take the Abortion Pill?
When taking the abortion pill, some women experience light nausea due to the drug’s effect on their hormones. The second pill always causes strong period-like cramping to expel the embryo. Depending on your body and how far along your pregnancy is, these cramps may be moderate to intense and can last for hours or more than a day.
Most women have heavy bleeding for several hours or more. At some point, the bleeding will lessen and become more like a normal period. This bleeding can continue for up to a week, and most women experience further, irregular bleeding or spotting for the next several weeks or months. You may also pass small or large clots, and see tissue, in addition to blood. This is an expected part of passing the pregnancy.
How Effective is the Abortion Pill?
Some women may need to take two doses to guarantee expulsion of the embryo and to start the process of contractions and bleeding. The abortion pill’s effectiveness can vary, but for most women it is more than 90% effective.
Are There Any Side Effects?
The side effects are painful cramping and bleeding. In some cases, women also experience nausea, low fever, dizziness and pelvic pain. Be aware, these are not all the possible side effects. In addition, many women feel varied emotional effects, such as grief, depression, and mood swings. These side effects are often known as PAD, or Post-Abortion Depression, and are similar in nature to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
How Much Does the Abortion Pill Cost in Arizona?
The cost of an abortion varies depending on where you obtain it and whether you are covered by insurance. Some private and employer-sponsored insurance plans will cover abortion services. However, if you have insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace (also known as Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act), you can only get an abortion if your life is jeopardized by your pregnancy. Medicaid also does not provide coverage for abortion services in Arizona.
What Other Information Should I Know About the Abortion Pill?
If you are under the age of 18, you will need a parent’s consent in order to obtain an abortion in Arizona. You will also need to get an ultrasound before the procedure can be performed, and you will need to go through a state-mandated 24 hour waiting period.
You should also know that there are other options beside the abortion pill. When you visit the Community Pregnancy Center in Prescott, AZ, we can give you information about all your pregnancy options, including adoption placement and parenting.
Call us today for more information. Whether you want to learn more about your pregnancy options, get free resources, or simply need some support and guidance, we can help. Call (928) 778-7654 today to learn more and schedule your appointment today.