At-Home Abortions, usually referred to as Medication or Chemical Abortions, comprise most of the abortions done in the U.S these days. They are marketed as a safe and convenient way to terminate a pregnancy, but there are some additional facts you should know. That’s why an options consultation is a good idea before beginning an At-Home abortion.

Medication abortions are only approved by the FDA for 10 weeks gestation and under. Though many places will offer the pills beyond that timeframe, it will affect its effectiveness. The effectiveness of the abortion depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy, sometimes even requiring an extra dose for pregnancies beyond the approved gestational age.

The medications used in an At-Home Abortion can only be given by providers who have completed a specific process to prescribe them. Because of the risks associated with these medications, it is advisable to only receive them from a provider in person (not through telehealth).

One of the important requirements is that the patient be fully informed and counseled on all the risks and side effects of these medications. Part of being fully informed is the need to rule out an ectopic pregnancy before beginning the abortion.

The medications used in an At-Home Abortion will not end an ectopic pregnancy. That’s why it is required of your provider that they have the ability to diagnose ectopic pregnancies. You can’t do that over the phone.

An ultrasound, however, can determine if your pregnancy is correctly located in your uterus. If the pregnancy is not located correctly, then you will need treatment for an ectopic pregnancy, not an At-Home Abortion. Ectopic pregnancies can be life-threatening, and the symptoms can mimic those women experience during an At-Home Abortion.

The medication combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is most commonly used for At-Home Abortions. Mifepristone works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which deprives the pregnancy of any nourishment. Usually, there are no symptoms felt with this first medication.

The second medication, misoprostol, is taken 48 hours later. Misoprostol works by causing strong uterine cramping and bleeding, which will ultimately empty the uterus. This medication could begin working in as quickly as 30 minutes. Cramping – sometimes severe – and moderate bleeding are considered normal responses.

Other common effects from misoprostol include passing blood clots, nausea, and diarrhea. You might also experience a low-grade fever. These symptoms could continue for about 4 hours, then slowly subside. Light bleeding and cramping could continue for about 2 weeks.

A follow-up appointment with your health care provider 2 weeks after the abortion is recommended to ensure the procedure worked and there are no signs of infection.

While the “at home” part of an abortion may sound appealing prior to taking the medications, it is also what some women say contributes to fear during the actual process of aborting. They are home and not under the direct supervision of a medical provider while experiencing the side affects mentioned above.

You should monitor how many pads you soak during this time to know if the bleeding is excessive. Soaking 2 large pads per hour for 2 hours in a row is cause for concern. An At-Home Abortion requires that you monitor yourself for these concerns. Also, while a low-grade fever is common for a day, anything over 100.4 for more than 24 hours should be evaluated by your abortion provider.

If you’re experiencing pain beyond what the over-the-counter pain relievers can control, you should be evaluated. One of the biggest problems with obtaining abortion medications through a telehealth provider is that the providers are not available to you if any problems arise. Emergency Departments across the U.S. report many patient visits from At-Home Abortions gone wrong.

If you need to be evaluated by a medical professional, please inform the provider of the medications you took during your At-Home Abortion. An accurate medical history is important to your comprehensive care.

It’s a good idea to avoid sexual intercourse for 2 weeks after your abortion – but know that your cycle can resume immediately and there’s a chance for pregnancy that quickly. 

Emotionally, women report a wide range of feelings immediately after their At-Home Abortions. Among these feelings are relief, sadness, stress and guilt. And while hormonal changes can cause these early emotions, women contact our clinic decades later still struggling, even after their hormones have settled. That’s why your emotional health is an important consideration in your abortion decision.

It is recommended that you take a pregnancy test about 2 weeks after the At-Home Abortion.  If the test is positive, wait another week and take a test again. If the results are negative, the medications likely worked as intended. If the results are positive, a surgical abortion may be needed to finish terminating the pregnancy. 

If you’re planning to have an At-Home Abortion, Alcove Health Women’s Clinic is here for you.  We provide accurate medical information concerning your pregnancy and all your options. Our free and confidential services include time with a caring advocate, a private medical conversation with a registered nurse, and an ultrasound.

Having this ultrasound before beginning the abortion process is vital to accurately determine the age of your pregnancy and to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. Both pieces of information are medically important for your reproductive health. 

Call or click here to make an appointment so you can be fully informed about your pregnancy choices and protect your health.