What Can I Expect After I Take The Abortion Pill?

After taking the first pill (RU 486, Mifeprex, Mifepristone) there are generally no symptoms or side effects that happen in the first 24 hours. Some women may experience mild belching, slight nausea, light headedness or dizziness.

It is rare to experience vomiting. If it occurs within the first two hours after taking the medication, then it may be that another tablet of the Mifepristone may be recommended to take by your medical personnel.

There is a 40% chance of having a complete abortion with just taking the RU 486 alone. It is not unusual that vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal cramping may begin within 12 to 48 hours after taking the RU 486 tablet.

The way RU 486 works is to cause softening of the cervix (open of the womb), thinning of the lining of the uterus and uterine contractions. This causes the menstrual cramp sensation and bleeding that can last for a few days to as long as 60 days.

Misoprostol (Cytotec) is the second pill that is normally taken with RU 486 which can be given immediately or up to 120 hours later.

This gives women the flexibility of when and where to take the Misoprostol tablet. Besides lower abdominal cramps and vaginal bleeding, Misoprostol can cause a low grade temperature.

Thinking About Taking the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill procedure can be performed from 3 to 21 weeks gestation or even further under maternal or fetal indications.

If the mother’s life or health is at risk or the fetus has a indication that is incompatible with life, a late term second trimester or third trimester abortion can be performed using the birth control procedure.

Normally pregnancies 12 weeks gestation or further can be started and completed in 24 hours or less. The procedure is highly efficient and effective with a success rate of 99% or higher.

How will I feel after taking the abortion pill?

As discussed earlier, after taking the RU 486 pill most patients do not have any symptoms or side effects. Mild vaginal bleeding and uterine cramping can occur. Whenever the second pill is taken (Misoprostol) uterine cramping can become more intense.

The majority of patients do not need any pain medications. Ibuprofen or Motrin is able to relieve most discomfort if pain medication is required.

Placing a heating pad on the lower abdomen, bedrest and uterine massage can be very helpful in reducing lower abdominal discomfort and vaginal bleeding. One should notify medical personnel if soak two pads an hour for two hours in a row.

The vaginal bleeding usually resolves within 5 days to two weeks. The majority of women are able to go back to school or work within 24 hours of taking the Misoprostol tablet.

There should be no heavy lifting or prolonged standing for approximately a week. One should avoid inserting tampons or having intercourse for a week to 10 days.

After passage of the pregnancy tissue, the heavy bleeding and significant cramping will immediately stop. This generally occurs within 6 to 24 hours after taking the Misoprostol tablet.

Galactorrhea (nipples leak fluid) is not unusual after termination of pregnancy. If this occurs, one is not to touch or stimulate the breasts in any manner as this may cause the breast to continue to fill with milk and become unbearably uncomfortable.

A temperature of greater than 100.4, unable to hold down fluids, unable to walk or stand up are indications to call medical personnel or go to the Emergency Room immediately to be evaluated.

Written instructions will be given to patients regarding how to take the medications and symptoms and signs when to call the office. A 24 hour emergency number will also be on the discharge instruction sheet that the patient can call anytime.

It is imperative that patients follow up with medical personnel in 3 to 4 weeks to assure that the procedure is complete. Medical studies show that if the pregnancy test is negative, the procedure is generally complete and a sonogram (ultrasound) is not required.

This has not become the standard of care in the US as yet. If the sac or pregnancy is not visible on the sonogram but there is evidence of retained tissue and the patient is asymptomatic, then there is nothing further that needs to be done.

If the patient is still experiencing off and on heavier bleeding and continued cramping, then patient should be given the choice of receiving additional Misoprostol tablets or offering a surgical Dilation and Curettage.

Make sure to schedule another follow-up in two to three weeks to confirm completion of the procedure.

Will I get depressed or have postpartum blues after the abortion pill?

Even though women go through counseling and screened to ensure that they are 100% certain regarding having the abortion procedure and are not being coerced, there are some women that become sad and a few can regret having the abortion pill procedure done.

The earlier the abortion procedure is performed, the less likely that the patient feels sad or guilty of having the medical abortion performed.

This is a clear advantage of performing the abortion pill procedure over the surgical procedure because it can be performed much earlier in pregnancy.

The majority of women are totally relieved after the procedure is performed. If one gets so depressed where one is not able to take a shower, brush your teeth, uncontrolled crying, find it difficult to get out of bed and continually sad, then the patient needs to call the medical office and be evaluated.

One can also contact Exhale and non-profit organizations who can help one work through the sadness and have the emotional support to help patients to recover.

How will the abortion pill affect my periods?

The menstrual period cycle generally returns within 3 to 6 weeks of termination of pregnancy. It could take 12 to 16 weeks for menstrual cycle to return. Bleeding and spotting can occur off and on up to 30 days.

One to two percent of patients can having mild spotting and bleeding up to 60 days. Tampon use is not recommended because of the theoretical chance of toxic shock syndrome.

How soon can I have sex after a abortion pill procedure?

There are different opinions regarding when one can resume sexual intercourse. If 4 weeks or less, there are studies that show that there is no reason stop having sex.

Physicians and other medical personnel generally suggest not to have sex until a week to 10 days after the abortion procedure.

There is no evidence that having sex increases the incidence of infection after a abortion pill procedure in the medical literature.

When can I start using birth control after abortion pill procedure?

One may begin taking birth control the same day or the first Sunday after taking the Misoprostol tablet. Ovulation can occur as early as 6 to 10 days after the procedure is performed.

Thus one can get pregnant before their first menstrual cycle. There are numerous birth control methods that can be used to prevent pregnancy.

All options should be discussed between the patient and medical personnel. Birth control pills, progesterone implants and IUD are all viable choices with low incidence of becoming pregnant.

The vaginal condom and male condoms not only prevent pregnancy, but Sexually Transmitted Infections as well.

What are Abortion Pill Contraindications?

Abortion pill contraindications include allergies to RU 486 or Misoprostol, undiagnosed uterine bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, absence of pregnancy seen in the uterus, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), cervicitis, severe anemia and Intrauterine IUD in place.

Breastfeeding is not an absolute contraindication. After taking the Misoprostol tablet, one must refrain from breastfeeding for 24 hours.

The Fort Lauderdale Women’s Center is Offering The One Hour Abortion Pill Procedure – 3 to 14 Weeks. Patients who qualify may receive a significant discount in the price of the procedure if they meet certain criteria.

Call Us Now For Same Day Appointment.

Dr James S Pendergraft | Orlando Women’s Center | Abortion Clinic Orlando