An unplanned pregnancy can rip the rug out from under you. It can be easy to make a snap decision out of fear, but it’s crucial to ask questions and get all the facts on your options to protect your health!

Today, we’re answering some frequently asked questions about the abortion pill, so you can make a confident, educated decision regarding your unplanned pregnancy!  

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

Although it’s referred to as a pill (singular), the abortion pill actually consists of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol.

Mifepristone is taken first, usually in a clinic. This medication cuts the supply of the hormone progesterone to the embryo, which is needed to maintain the pregnancy. Without a steady supply of progesterone, the embryo stops growing. Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later at home. This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the fetus, which ends the pregnancy.

How Late Can You Take the Abortion Pill? 

You can’t take the abortion pill if it’s been more than 70 days since the first day of your last menstrual period[1]. This is because it becomes less effective the farther along you are. If you take the abortion pill later on in your pregnancy, you could experience serious complications and may need emergency surgery to complete the procedure. 

Is Abortion Legal in Minnesota? Do I Need an Ultrasound Before Taking the Abortion Pill?

At the time of writing (December 2022), abortion is legal in Minnesota until the point of viability. Viability is the point at which a fetus has developed enough that it can survive outside the womb with medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy[2]. However, abortions can be performed after viability in the case of medical emergencies. 

Although Minnesota abortion law doesn’t require it, we also recommend receiving a free ultrasound at Pregnancy Resource Center +Medical Clinic. Ultrasounds can determine how far along you are (called your gestational age) and if your pregnancy is progressing as it should. If your ultrasound technician can’t detect the signs of a normal, healthy pregnancy, they will encourage you to speak to your OB about receiving another ultrasound, as you may be experiencing a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

What is a Miscarriage?

A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. It’s estimated that up to 20% of known pregnancies naturally end in miscarriage[3]. 

What is Ectopic Pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy can’t continue normally, because the fertilized egg will cause a rupture as it continues to grow. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment[4]. 

If the ultrasound done by your OB finds that you’re experiencing a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, the abortion pill isn’t needed. Instead, you can move forward with the appropriate medical care!

Do I Need a Prescription for the Abortion Pill? Can I Get the Abortion Pill Over the Counter? 

The FDA requires a prescription from a qualified physician in order to take the abortion pill for your personal safety[5]. More on that in a moment! Pharmacies are now allowed to dispense the abortion pill, but you will still need a prescription to purchase it over the counter[5]. 

Can I Order the Abortion Pill Online?

The FDA warns against ordering the abortion pill online, as it bypasses safety regulations designed to keep you safe. Many online abortion pill providers are located overseas, so the pills they provide may not be FDA-approved[5]. These pills could be fake, expired, or even laced with harmful substances! It’s best to speak to a licensed medical professional first!

What are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

Like any medical procedure, there are risks and side effects associated with the abortion pill. Common side effects include:

• Spotting or bleeding that can last up to a month[6]
• Headaches
• Abdominal cramping (caused by the misoprostol)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea and digestive pain
• Chills
• Fever

More severe abortion pill side effects include:

• Allergic reaction. Although rare, it is possible to go into anaphylactic shock after taking vaginal misoprostol if you’re allergic to any ingredients in the medication[7].

• Hemorrhaging. It’s normal to bleed for a while after taking the abortion pill. However, if you soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour, for two or more hours, you could be hemorrhaging[8].

• Incomplete abortion. Incomplete abortions occur when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after misoprostol has been taken. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove the remaining tissue and prevent infection[9]. 

• Infection. If you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever for more than 24 hours after taking the second medication, an infection may have developed. You may need antibiotics or even surgery to treat your condition[10].

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female reproductive organs. The symptoms to be aware of include abdominal pain, irregular periods, nausea and vomiting, painful urination, painful sex, and unusual vaginal discharge.[11] 

This all may sound a bit frightening, but we believe you deserve to be aware of the risks and side effects of abortion, so you can make the best choice for your health and future!

Abortion Pill Information in Minnesota

When your pregnancy test comes back positive, it can be easy to panic. Don’t let fear make any decisions for you! Get the care and support you deserve at Pregnancy Resource Center +Medical Clinic! We offer free pregnancy resources, so you can make an empowered decision for your unplanned pregnancy:  

• Free pregnancy tests
• Free ultrasounds
• A safe, non-judgmental place to explore your pregnancy options and sort through your emotions

Give us a call at (320) 253-1962 or schedule your appointment today. All services are confidential and free of charge!

Please be aware that Pregnancy Resource Center +Medical Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services. 

Sources

1. FDA. (2021, December 6). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex  
2. State Facts About Abortion: Minnesota. Guttmacher Institute. (2022, August 30). Retrieved from https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-minnesota 
3. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, October 16). Miscarriage. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298  
4. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, March 12). Ectopic Pregnancy. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088 
5. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2023, January 24). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information 
6. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016, May 16). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html 
7. Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
8. FDA. (2016). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf 
9. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687 
10. Abortion Risks. Louisiana Department of Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ldh.la.gov/page/1063 
11. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Symptoms, Treatments & Causes. Cleveland Clinic. (2020, November 23). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9129-pelvic-inflammatory-disease-pid