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When a woman finds out about an unplanned pregnancy, her first reaction might be to want to have a medication (also called chemical) abortion, because it is less medically intrusive than surgical abortion.
How does the abortion pill work?
When a woman decides to have a medication abortion, she first takes a pill called mifepristone. It acts by blocking progesterone, the natural hormone produced by the body to sustain a pregnancy. Soon, the growing baby loses its supply of oxygen and nutrients and detaches from the uterine lining. The woman then takes misoprostol, which provokes contractions to force the developing baby and the placenta out of the uterus.
How painful is a medical abortion?
The pain varies from one woman to another. Some women report feeling extremely ill, while others describe having a very heavy period accompanied by a lot of bleeding and painful cramps. In addition to bleeding and cramping, women tend to also experience:
- Nausea
- Fever/chills
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- And more (read about what to expect when taking the abortion pill here).
The other, perhaps unexpected, pain may be emotional. Indeed, a woman who goes through the entire process alone may feel isolated and vulnerable, especially in cases when the pain is extreme. It’s important to know that help is available, which is why Lifeline exists: so that no woman has to go through an unexpected pregnancy alone.
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