How Do I Know If I’m Too Far Along for the Abortion Pill?

Knowing the age of your pregnancy before using the abortion pill is vitally important to protecting your health and safety.

According to the FDA, attempting to use the abortion pill after 10 weeks of pregnancy can lead to complications, including an incomplete abortion. 

Continue reading to learn more about the abortion pill and how to determine the age of your pregnancy accurately.

How the Abortion Pill Works

The abortion pill, also called a medical abortion, is actually a series of drugs used to terminate a pregnancy.

Mifepristone is used first, and causes the pregnancy to stop growing in your uterus and detach from the uterine wall.

Misoprostol, the second drug, causes your uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy from your body through your vagina.

There are health risks to be aware of when deciding whether to use the abortion pill. In addition to the chance of an incomplete abortion mentioned above, these risks can include:

• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive discomfort 

Determining the Age of Your Pregnancy

While traditionally the age of a woman’s pregnancy is initially determined from the time of her last period, this method can be inaccurate and may not provide the correct information.

That is why, when considering a medical abortion, it is best to confirm the age of your pregnancy using an ultrasound scan.

An abdominal ultrasound scan is a harmless and painless procedure that uses sound waves to create live images of the inside of your uterus. From these images, a trained professional can measure the size of your pregnancy, providing the most accurate age determination.

An ultrasound can also determine if the pregnancy is viable (developing) and its location, information that can help you further know whether a medical abortion is possible or even necessary.  

How to Get an Ultrasound Scan

If you are pregnant and need to determine the age of your pregnancy, Alpha Pregnancy Care Center is here to help.

We provide free pregnancy test confirmation and a no-cost follow-up ultrasound scan. 

Our trained technicians will also review the ultrasound results with you and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy can feel scary and overwhelming, but getting the facts you need can help you make the best decision for your health and future.

Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.