31/03/2024
THIS IS HOW THE ABORTION PILLS WORK.
Although it’s called the abortion pill, medical abortion is actually a combination of two types of pills. The first step in the process is to take a medication called mifepristone (also called by its brand name Mifeprex). This medication is a single pill that blocks progesterone to stop a pregnancy from growing. This step terminates the pregnancy, but the process is not over yet because the pregnancy still has to be removed.
The second medicine is called misoprostol. This medication consists of four tablets that are taken at home up to 48 hours after the first pill. It will soften the cervix and cause significant cramping and heavy bleeding to expel the pregnancy. After taking both medications, the pregnancy is typically ended and usually passed from the uterus within 2 to 48 hours.
Following the abortion, patients must return to their doctor two weeks later to have an exam or ultrasound to confirm that the abortion was completed, and check for signs of infection or other complications.2 The entire abortion process usually takes about two weeks from start to finish. If the abortion pill didn’t work properly, additional doctor’s visits will be needed.
