Thinking About the Abortion Pill? Get Accurate Information First
If you’re considering the abortion pill (medication abortion), it’s important to have complete, accurate information about how it works, what to expect, potential risks, and alternatives before making your decision. At Hope’s Pathway Chatham, we provide free pregnancy testing and ultrasound referrals, and factual information about all pregnancy options – including the abortion pill – so you can make an informed choice.
What is the Abortion Pill and How Does it Work?
Although it’s referred to as a pill (singular), the abortion pill actually consists of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. These are taken in sequence to end an early pregnancy, typically up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period.
The abortion pill goes by many names including missed period pills, at-home abortion, self-managed abortion, 10-week-after pills, medication, medical, or chemical abortion.
The Two-drug Protocol
Mifepristone
- taken first, usually in a clinic or prescribed by telehealth
- blocks the uterus from absorbing progesterone, cutting the supply of this hormone to the embryo
- without a steady supply of progesterone, the embryo stops growing and cannot survive
Misoprostol
- taken 24-48 hours later at home
- causes the uterus to contract and expel the embryo through the vagina, which ends the pregnancy
- causes cramping and heavy bleeding
How long does it take?
The process typically takes 4-5 hours after taking the second pill, though bleeding can continue for days or weeks.
Note: The abortion pill is not the same as emergency contraceptives. The FDA has issued a warning about abortion by mail and new safety regulations. Your health and safety come first here. Contact us to learn more.
What They May Not Tell You
Keep in mind some important facts that others may not tell you about taking the abortion pill.
Why you need an ultrasound first
Before taking the abortion pill, an ultrasound is medically important to:
- Confirm pregnancy location: 1-2% of pregnancies are *ectopic (outside the uterus). The abortion pill won’t treat an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency.
- Determine gestational age: The abortion pill is only FDA-approved through 10 weeks. An ultrasound accurately dates your pregnancy.
- Confirm viability: 15-20% of pregnancies end in natural miscarriage. An ultrasound can determine if the pregnancy is still developing.
We can refer you for a free, confidential limited ultrasound so that you can determine these important factors about your pregnancy. Many online telehealth abortion providers don’t require an ultrasound which can be medically risky.
*An ectopic pregnancy is life threatening which will need further medical assistance from your doctor.
What to expect physically
Duration: Bleeding can last 2-4 weeks.
Common side effects:
- Heavy cramping (often more intense than period cramps)
- Heavy bleeding (soaking through 2+ pads per hour)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Dizziness
Potential complications
Many women complete medication abortion without complications, but it’s important to know the risks.
- Incomplete abortion (3-5%): Not all pregnancy tissue is expelled, requiring additional medication or a surgical procedure
- Hemorrhaging (rare but serious): Excessive bleeding requiring medical attention
- Infection (rare): Requires antibiotics or hospitalization
- Continuing pregnancy (2-5%): The abortion pill doesn’t work, and the pregnancy continues
What to expect emotionally
Physical effects are only part of the experience. Women report a range of emotional responses, and everyone’s emotional experience is different:
- Relief
- Sadness or grief
- Guilt or regret
- Depression or anxiety
- Emotional numbness
- A mix of conflicting feelings
The Telemedicine Reality
Many women are now ordering abortion pills online through telehealth services. While this may seem convenient, there are important considerations.
What you miss without in-person care:
- No ultrasound (gestational age is just an estimate)
- No ectopic pregnancy screening
- No in-person medical evaluation
- Limited follow-up care
- No immediate help if complications arise
If you’re considering ordering pills online, understand the risks of not having local medical support.
Your Alternatives
Before you decide, consider all your options.
Option 1: Parenting
- What support is available (your services + community resources)
- Financial assistance programs
- Childcare options
- Job training and education opportunities
Option 2: Adoption
- How the process works
- Types of adoption (open, closed, semi-open)
- Financial assistance for birth mothers
- Ongoing support available
We’re here to discuss any option you’re considering, including abortion. Our goal is to make sure you have complete information.
How We Can Help
- Free pregnancy test if you think you may be pregnant
- Free ultrasound referral to confirm pregnancy existence, location, and gestational age
- Accurate information about all pregnancy options, including abortion
- Options counseling to talk through your situation
- Community resources regardless of your decision
- Ongoing support if you choose parenting or adoption
Questions to Ask Before Getting the Abortion Pill
- Will I have an ultrasound first?
- How far along is my pregnancy?
- What happens if the abortion pill doesn’t work?
- What should I do if I have complications?
- Will I have follow-up care?
- What will I see and experience?
- What pain management is recommended?
- Who can I call if something goes wrong?
These questions are important whether you’re getting the abortion pill from a clinic or online provider. Women opting for the abortion pill often have to self-manage some or all of the procedure, which means it’s critical that you gather accurate and complete information as you consider your pregnancy options. Hope’s Pathway Chatham provides evidence based medically accurate information about all of your pregnancy options, including the abortion pill.
Other Common Questions About the Abortion Pill
According to the FDA, Mifepristone must be prescribed by a healthcare provider that meets certain qualifications. Certain pharmacies are now authorized to dispense the abortion pill. However, the FDA requires a prescription from a qualified physician in order to take the abortion pill.
The FDA does not recommend abortion pills be purchased online since “The FDA does not have regulatory oversight of prescription medicines from outside the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain; therefore, the FDA cannot ensure the safety, effectiveness, or quality of those medications.”
If you had unprotected sex, Plan B (morning after pill) is an emergency contraceptive meant to prevent a pregnancy from occurring. The morning after pill is a type of medication that women can take within three days in an effort to prevent pregnancy. If you’re already pregnant, Plan B cannot end an existing pregnancy. The abortion pill is not emergency contraception, but rather a method of ending an existing pregnancy.
If you have only taken the first medication (mifepristone) and are having second thoughts about your decision, it may not be too late to change your mind. It is possible for the effects of the Abortion Pill to be reversed. However, time is of the essence if you want to stop the abortion process. For immediate help please go to abortionpillreversal.com or call their hotline: 877-558-0333.
You may have had an abortion willingly without second thoughts, or maybe you were pressured by others, feeling it was your only option. Regardless of how you might have felt when you decided to abort, feelings of regret can surface at any time. Hope’s Pathway Chatham is here to help you find hope and help with post-abortion healing support.
Get a Free Options Consultation and Ultrasound Referral Before You Decide
Before taking the abortion pill, let Hope’s Pathway Chatham refer you for a free ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy location and how far along you are. This protects your health and helps you make an informed decision.
Have more questions about the abortion pill? Text or call us – we’re here to provide factual information without pressure or judgment..
SOURCES
- Abortion Pill Reversal (n.d.) https://abortionpillreversal.com
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.) AAPLOG statement of the necessity of informed consent before elective procedures on the pregnant woman. https://aaplog.org/aaplog-statement-on-the-necessity-for-informed-consent-before-elective-procedures-on-the-pregnant-woman/
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.) AAPLOG statement of the necessity of ultrasound before elective procedures on the pregnant woman. https://aaplog.org/aaplog-statement-on-the-necessity-for-ultrasound-before-elective-procedures-on-the-pregnant-woman/
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020, February). Medication Abortion. AAPLOG Practice Guideline. https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PG-8-Medication-Abortion.pdf
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2025). The reversal of the effects of mifepristone by progesterone. AAPLOG Practice Guideline. https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025.11.21-PG-6-Reversal-of-the-Effects-of-Mifepristone-With-Progesterone-WEBSITE-1.pdf
- American Pregnancy Association. (2025, February 10). Pregnancy Symptoms. https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/am-i-pregnant/pregnancy-symptoms/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022, September 28). Ultrasound in pregnancy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 12). Ectopic pregnancy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
- Mayo Clinic. (2024, June 28). Medical abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, January 17) Questions and answers on mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy through ten weeks gestation. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation