The abortion pill is actually a combination of 2 different types of medications taken 48 hours apart. RU486 (mifepristone) is the first medication that blocks the hormone progesterone from getting to the uterus. This sudden drop in progesterone causes the uterine lining to break down, and the yolk sac cannot continue to nourish the embryo. Thus, the pregnancy cannot be maintained.

The second medication (taken 48 hours later), misoprostol, causes uterine cramping and heavy bleeding, so the pregnancy is expelled. This second part happens at home and is often accompanied by passing clots and diarrhea. This medication regimen is approved by the FDA for pregnancies before 10 weeks gestation.

A medical abortion using mifepristone-misoprostol does not cause ectopic pregnancy, but it does not treat an ectopic pregnancy either. If you take the abortion pill with an ectopic pregnancy, and the ectopic pregnancy goes untreated, the embryo can continue to develop outside the uterus even after taking mifepristone and misoprostol. 

A pregnancy that is not implanted in the correct place within the uterus cannot survive. The fertilized egg cannot progress normally, and the growing tissue can rupture. This results in major internal bleeding and a life-threatening emergency. Immediate medical attention is imperative.  

That’s why it’s so important to know where the pregnancy has implanted before any abortion procedure. The only way to confirm this is by transvaginal ultrasound in the first trimester. If you use mifepristone and misoprostol to abort a pregnancy and do not have an ultrasound first, there is always a chance that you could have an undetected ectopic pregnancy. 

After any abortion procedure, a follow-up exam is needed to ensure your body is healing properly and that the pregnancy has not continued. Some people can experience a mix of emotions, including relief, loss, sadness, or guilt. If these feelings bother you, it might help to talk to a counselor about them.

Alcove Health, in Virginia, is here to walk you through all these steps before an abortion decision. We offer pregnancy options consultations, abortion education, and confidential consults with a Registered Nurse. We also offer the important medical services you need before you get an abortion – including a lab-grade pregnancy test, an ultrasound, and STI testing. Our ultrasounds can confirm a viable uterine pregnancy. We can help assess your risks and provide you with local physician references.

Taking the abortion pill with an ectopic pregnancy is dangerous; medical services will help you know if you are at risk for this type of pregnancy. Speaking with a healthcare provider to get answers to your questions, to weigh your alternatives, and to consider the impact the procedure may have on your future is so beneficial. All our services are at no cost to you, so you have nothing to lose – and so much to gain. Your reproductive health is worth it.

Call us or click here today to request your free and confidential appointment at our clinic in Newport News, Virginia.