How To Use Abortion Pills

Abortion pills are easy to use for a medical abortion. They are used for pregnancies up to 10 weeks and have a success rate of 95-98%. Many of you must be concerned about how to use abortion pills or how to take the abortion pills. Even if you do not want to buy abortion pills, knowing how the medical abortion process works keeps you informed. 

When you get abortion pills from us, you get one Mifepristone 200 mg and four Misoprostol pills (200 mcg), plus 10 extra Misoprostol pills.

 

How to Take the Abortion Pills?

The abortion pill refers to two pills used in combination to end an early pregnancy. Mifepristone and misoprostol pills are the popular choice for a medical abortion regimen. 

Let’s have a look at the step-by-step guide on taking the abortion pills:

Step 1 – Day 1: Mifepristone Pill

• Mifepristone 200 mg is the first step. This pill should be taken orally with a glass of water.
• It halts fetal development by blocking the progesterone hormone required to sustain the pregnancy and breaking down the uterine lining, eliminating the support to the fetus.

Step 2 – Day 2: Misoprostol Pills (After 24-48 hours)

• Misoprostol can cause pain, so take a painkiller before taking the second abortion pill. Ibuprofen 800 mg or naproxen 440 mg is effective. 
• You need to take four misoprostol pills (200 mcg) after 24 to 48 hours. 
  • Four pills can be kept under the tongue (sublingual).
  • Or place between the cheeks and gums in the mouth, two pills on each side (Buccal).
  • Or you can insert the pills in the vagina and lie down for 30 minutes.
• For the buccal and sublingual method, you should wait for 30 minutes so the pills can dissolve. During this period, you should not eat or drink, as the pills could fail.
• Take another 2 misoprostol pills after 3 hours, then another set of two pills after the next 3 hours to complete the process. 

The remaining misoprostol pills can be used in the future, so keep them stocked away. Make sure you follow all the instructions provided.

 

What to Expect

You will start experiencing the side effects of taking misoprostol pills after 4-6 hours, or sometimes it takes even 24 hours. Here’s what all you can experience:

Bleeding and Cramping

• These are certain symptoms that occur after the misoprostol pills. Bleeding is heavy and the pain is severe in the initial stages of expulsion (expelling of the fetus from the uterus).
• Bleeding is heavier than the normal periods and lasts for around two weeks, gradually decreasing to a spot in the last few days, when the pregnancy is completely out.
• Cramps are usually mild but can get intense for some people. The pain medicine you have taken before is a huge help.
• Bleeding may also continue on and off till you get your next period, which is between 4 and 8 weeks after abortion.

Other Side Effects

Some other possible side effects of mifepristone and misoprostol includes: 

• Nausea
• Headache
• Vomiting 
• Fever and chills
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea

There are common side effects that go away after a few hours.

How do you handle the pain?

To manage the pain caused by contraction of the uterus, you can:

• Take ibuprofen 800 mg, every 8 hours to reduce the pain and inflammation.
• Place a heating pad on your lower abdomen.
• Avoid aspirin for pain, because it can increase the bleeding.
• Eat your comfort food, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Have a loved one, someone you trust, beside you for comfort and support.

Nausea Management:

• Eating heavy meals can cause nausea, so make the meal portioned well, and only eat as much as is necessary. 
• You can take small meals every two hours to avoid nausea. 
• Instead of gulping the fluids, sip on it. 
• Over-the-counter medications are effective in managing nausea, such as
  • Ondansetron (Zofran)—Can be taken 30 minutes before misoprostol.
  • Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)—Is an OTC that prevents nausea, but causes drowsiness
  • Meclizine (Antivert, Bonine)—Again an OTC with long-lasting effects
  • Vitamin B6 + Doxylamine—A popular combination for pregnancy-related nausea and also for abortion care

A Gentle Guide to What You Might Notice:

• Expect the heavy bleeding, clots, and possibly soft tissues if the pregnancy was within 9 weeks.
• Tissues may appear gray or white and have a sponge-like texture.
• If the pregnancy has progressed beyond 9 weeks, the tissues may look more defined.
• And, if the tissues were expelled in the second pregnancy, the tissues may look like a small fetus.
• Seeing this can be emotional for some people; hence, being aware can help you cope.

 

After the Abortion 

After a few days, symptoms normally lessen greatly. Many people return to normal activities after 1-2 days, but it is fine to rest longer if necessary. Not bleeding after taking the pills, even after 24 hours, or feeling the pregnancy symptoms after 2 weeks, get in touch with us. We will guide you further.

However, if the abortion is complete, you can expect:

• Spotting or mild bleeding lasting up to two weeks
• A return to your normal menstrual cycle in around 4-6 weeks
• Emotional ups and downs are normal.

You can take a pregnancy test 3-4 weeks after taking the pills. Testing too early may result in a false positive due to lingering hormones. To reduce the risk of infection, avoid inserting anything into the vagina (tampons, sex, or douching) for at least 7 days after taking the pills.

 

When to Seek Help

Abortion pills are completely safe and cause no long-term effects, nor do they affect fertility. However, you should visit a healthcare provider if:

• The bleeding is extreme, and you are soaking 2 pads in an hour for two straight hours.
• Too heavy bleeding is making you dizzy and lightheaded.
• A fever above 100°C lasts for more than 24 hours.
• Severe abdominal pain that lingers even with OTC medicines.
• The vaginal discharge is foul-smelling.

To stop the bleeding, you can put two misoprostol pills under your tongue before visiting a clinic.

You deserve safe care, and asking for help is never a burden. Need support or have questions? Our care team is here for you—before, during, and after. You are not alone.