What Happens If I Take the Abortion Pill and It Doesn’t Work?

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering the abortion pill, you may be wondering what happens if it doesn’t work.

You may think the abortion pill is an easy solution to handling an unplanned pregnancy. 

However, there are actually limitations and complications that could not only lead to an unsuccessful abortion attempt but also create medical complications that could jeopardize your health.

Keep reading to learn the facts you need to protect your health and make the best decision for yourself.

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

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

The first drug is called mifepristone, which causes the pregnancy to stop growing and detach from your uterus. 

The second drug—misoprostol—is then used to cause your uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy from your body.

When the Abortion Pill Doesn’t Work

There are known factors and complications that can lead to the abortion pill not working.

One of the well-known complications is when a medical abortion does not expel all of the pregnancy tissue from your uterus. This is known as an incomplete abortion and can lead to severe medical complications like an infection, which requires immediate medical intervention to protect your health. 

According to the FDA, the chance of having an incomplete abortion drastically increases if the abortion pill is used after your pregnancy is older than 10 weeks.

There are also pregnancy complications or pre-existing complications that can keep the abortion pill from working, including:

• Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than your uterus. This can be a dangerous health complication that requires immediate medical intervention.

• Miscarriage: The Mayo Clinic estimates that 10-20% of pregnancies can end in miscarriage. During a miscarriage, your pregnancy terminates naturally and is passed from your body.

• Pre-existing conditions: Drug allergies, underlying health issues, or using an intrauterine device are examples of pre-existing conditions that can prevent you from successfully using the abortion pill.

Attempting a medical abortion with any of the above can not only prevent the abortion from being successful, but also lead to serious medical complications that could endanger your health.

Getting the Answers You Need 

One of the best ways to limit potential complications when attempting a medical abortion is to receive an ultrasound scan and speak with a medical professional.

An ultrasound scan will determine the age of your pregnancy, as well as ensure you are not suffering from an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, while speaking with a medical professional about your health history or pre-existing conditions can help avoid potential medical complications. 

We Are Here for You

If you are trying to find answers about your pregnancy, Alpha Pregnancy Care Center is here to help. 

We provide free pregnancy test confirmation and ultrasound scans to give you the facts you need about your pregnancy.

Our trained staff will also listen to your questions and discuss your options, empowering you to make the best decision for your health and future.

Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment.