What is the Abortion Pill?

Times are tough for a lot of people in the current economy. Grocery and gas prices have put extra weight on the shoulders of many hard-working Americans.

Discovering an unplanned pregnancy during a financial drought may make you feel like you can’t afford to go through with the pregnancy. 

Maybe the abortion pill seems like the most affordable way to move forward. But before you go out of state to get a prescription for it, there are some things you should know about a chemical abortion. 

How Does The Abortion Pill Work?

The abortion pill is a series of two pills. The first one, which must be taken within the first ten weeks of pregnancy, is called mifepristone. This pill works by blocking the hormone progesterone from getting into the womb. This hormone is essentially a channel for nutrients to reach the uterus and help the pregnancy grow. When mifepristone enters the picture, the nutrients can no longer reach their destination.

Then the second pill, misoprostol, is taken several days later. This pill starts rhythmic cramping that will essentially propel your body to “give birth” to the pregnancy remains. 

How Much Does the Abortion Pill Cost?

The abortion pill costs upwards of $500 (with insurance) for just the pill series. But that is not all you will need to pay for. 

In Kentucky, all abortion is illegal–including the abortion pill. That means you won’t be able to legally get a prescription for the abortion pill from a doctor in Kentucky.

You will need to travel out of state to be seen by a doctor who can legally give you a prescription and check to make sure you are actually a candidate for the pill. 

So, you will need to factor in costs associated with travel and out-of-state medical care. 

Technically, you could purchase the pill online from a third-party source. However, that is highly discouraged by the FDA since those drugs are not held accountable to regulations and could be contaminated by harmful bacteria or expired. You do not want to get sick or face complications because you took your health into your own hands. 

What Are the Risks of the Abortion Pill?

No matter where you get the abortion pill, there are risks to taking it. Your body is going to be basically giving birth to the remains of your pregnancy and placenta. That can be messy and painful. Many women have experienced complications from this procedure. 

Some of those risks include:

  • An incomplete abortion, where all the parts of the pregnancy do not leave the uterus, this can cause serious infections that can lead to pelvic or septic shock
  • Heavy bleeding that lasts for several days or weeks
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Digestive issues
  • Headache
  • Allergic reaction to the medication

According to the Mayo Clinic, you should not take the abortion pill if you meet any of these criteria:

  • Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place.
  • Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus. This is called an ectopic pregnancy.
  • Have certain medical conditions. These include bleeding disorders; certain heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
  • Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines.
  • Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care.
  • Have an allergy to the medicine used.

Can I Reverse the Abortion Pill?

If you have already taken mifepristone but then changed your mind about wanting an abortion, you may be able to reverse the effects if you act before taking misoprostol. 

Within 72 hours of taking the Mifeprex, your doctor can prescribe progesterone pills or injections to try and counteract the abortion pill effects, sending the needed oxygen and nutrients back into the womb to save the life of the baby. 

There is about a 68 percent success rate with abortion pill reversal. 

If you have already taken the pill and want to change your mind, call Abortion Pill Rescue Network immediately. 

Where Can I Find Financial Help for My Pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and struggling financially, abortion does not have to be the only solution. There are actually many ways you can find help. Here are a few:

If you have more questions about the abortion pill or your alternate options, or if you want to schedule a free ultrasound, please contact us. We are here to help!