FAQs Before an Abortion
If you are looking at having an abortion or taking abortion pills, it’s normal to have questions, and a lot of them! Choices Pregnancy Services is here in the Coraopolis, Beaver Valley, and Pittsburgh, PA area, to help you learn what to expect, the right questions to ask your medical team, and help you make an informed pregnancy decision.
If you have had an abortion in the past and it was not a great experience, you may be considering another method or looking into your pregnancy options. Take the time you need to get all your health and safety questions answered. Contact us to make an appointment and confirm your pregnancy today.
What are the key differences between the abortion pill and an in-clinic abortion?
The abortion pill is two medications:
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Mifepristone blocks progesterone, the hormone your body needs to keep a pregnancy and the fetus progressing.
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Misoprostol causes cramping and contractions, followed by heavy bleeding to expel the fetus and empty the uterus.
This is an early pregnancy termination option according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) guidance, “in-person dispensing is no longer required, allowing for telehealth and mail-order; however, this lack of medical oversight can increase concerns for safety, proper dosage, and management of risks like infection or incomplete abortion”. You may be alone or without in-person medical supervision, depending on the source of the abortion pills or your choice of provider. The abortion pill is still a medical procedure and should have medical oversight.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines should be observed: “While in-person dispensing is no longer required, allowing for telehealth and mail-order, medical oversight ensures safety, proper dosage, and management of risks like infection or incomplete abortion.”
An in-clinic abortion is a procedure done by a medical provider and can be performed in the first, second, or third trimester. It includes methods like:
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Suction (aspiration) – usually done in the first trimester
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Dilation and evacuation (D&E) – done later, under sedation or anesthesia
Like the abortion pill, an abortion procedure has many side effects and risks. Contact us to
Key Differences
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*The trimester in which an abortion clinic procedure can be performed is subject to varying abortion restrictions depending on the state you live in and its abortion legislation.
How Safe is an Abortion?
Any medical procedure or drug has inherent risks, including abortion clinic procedures and the abortion pill. The health and safety factors can depend on the cleanliness of the facility, the medical team, or the company where a woman orders abortion drugs. The EPPC’s latest study shows that 1 in 10 patients experienced a serious complication after the abortion pill. Further, the FDA and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) do not recommend ordering online due to a lack of safety measures.
Some women experience major health complications, while others have mild reactions. According to the FDA, all abortion methods have risks and potential complications that can occur.
Before you take any next steps, it’s important to get answers to a few key questions:
What You Need to Know First
How far along are you?
The abortion pill is only a first-trimester option. Relying solely on a due date calculator or your LMP (last menstrual period) to confirm your date of conception is not a guarantee of correct dating. A diagnostic ultrasound is an important safety step to inform you of the gestational age of your pregnancy, which then most accurately informs you of your options. Risks to your safety increase if the abortion pill is taken later than the FDA-approved guidelines. In some cases, women have miscalculated the age of their pregnancy by relying only on their cycle tracking.
Is the pregnancy in your uterus?
If it’s ectopic (developing outside the uterus), the abortion pill won’t work and can be life-threatening. An ultrasound is the only way to know for sure. We provide this at no cost to you.
What’s your Rh factor?
If you’re Rh-negative, you may need additional medication after an abortion to prevent complications in future pregnancies.
Do you have any health conditions or allergies?
Specific medical issues, like bleeding disorders, adrenal problems, or known allergies to the medications used, can make the abortion pill dangerous or even life-threatening.
Why This Matters
Taking the abortion pill without confirming these details can increase your risk of serious complications, including:
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Incomplete abortion (where tissue remains in the uterus)
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Infection
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Delayed treatment for ectopic pregnancy
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Severe bleeding
What are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill causes your body to expel the pregnancy. This process can be intense, physically and emotionally.
Common Side Effects
Most women will experience:
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Cramping and contractions, often intense and painful
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Heavy bleeding, heavier than a normal period (you may pass large clots or tissue)
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Nausea and/or vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Headaches or migraines
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Fever or chills
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Fatigue or dizziness
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Incomplete abortion
Bleeding usually starts within a few hours of taking the second medication (misoprostol) and can last anywhere from a few days to 2-4 weeks.
What's Not Normal?
While discomfort is expected, you should seek medical help if you:
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Soak through more than two pads per hour for two hours in a row
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Have a fever over 100.4°F that lasts more than 24 hours
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Pass foul-smelling discharge
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Feel lightheaded or faint
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Notice ongoing pain or symptoms that don’t improve
These signs could mean infection or incomplete abortion. In such cases, a follow-up surgical procedure may be necessary.
Know Before You Take It
Side effects vary from person to person. Factors such as your stage of pregnancy, any existing health conditions, or even your hormone levels can impact your reaction.
You don’t have to guess what’s normal. We’re here to help you understand what to expect and what to do if something doesn't feel right.
What if I've Already Taken the First Pill and Changed My Mind?
You’re not the only one. Some women take the first abortion pill, mifepristone, and feel unsure or regret their decision. Some women have been pressured into taking the abortion pill. If any of these are true for you, it's important to discuss your options with an advocate immediately.
What is Abortion Pill Reversal?
Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) is a treatment that uses progesterone, a natural hormone your body needs during pregnancy. It works to counteract the "progesterone blocking" effects of mifepristone and support the pregnancy if taken soon enough.
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APR is most effective when started within 24-72 hours after taking the first pill.
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Success rates vary, but thousands of women have used this option and carried their pregnancies to term.
What Should I Do Right Now?
Time matters. The sooner you act, the more likely it is that the reversal can be effective.
You have two options:
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Call us immediately, and we’ll help walk you through your next steps in a confidential, pressure-free space.
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Visit abortionpillreversal.com to connect with a 24/7 hotline (1-877-558-0333) and a medical provider near you.
You're not trapped in one decision.
Changing your mind is not a failure. You’re allowed to pause, rethink, and ask for help. You’re not alone, and support is available fast.
Call Now or Book a Free Appointment to talk privately.
If I Know My "Date" and Made a Decision, Why Should I Get an Ultrasound First?
Taking a step back before taking a step forward matters to your health and safety. If you’re thinking about abortion, here’s what to check first:
Is the Pregnancy Viable?
This means: Is the pregnancy developing normally in the uterus?
Up to 1 in 4 pregnancies end in natural miscarriage, and some end before you even know you’re pregnant. An ultrasound is the only way to confirm viability. This can prevent you from spending money or from experiencing the side effects of an abortion if you are already miscarrying naturally.
How Far Along Are You?
The type of (and legal) abortion available often depends on your gestational age. Knowing how far along you are gives you a clearer idea of what’s medically and legally possible. Every woman should know the exact date and type of pregnancy (twins can lead to complications during an abortion) before making a decision.
Is it Ectopic or Not in the Uterus?
An ectopic pregnancy happens when the embryo implants outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube. It’s dangerous and life-threatening if not caught early. The abortion pill doesn’t treat ectopic pregnancies. Only an ultrasound can determine if there is an ectopic pregnancy.
Do You Have Health Risks or Conditions?
Things like allergies, current medications, previous surgeries, ovarian cysts, anemia, asthma, or clotting disorders may increase risks or limit your options. You deserve to decide with your whole health picture in mind.
You don’t have to guess. You don’t have to Google your way through this. You can come to Choices Pregnancy Services and leave with facts. You deserve real answers before making a big decision.
When we say, “care centered on you,” we mean it. You deserve answers from people who don’t profit from your choice and the ability to make a decision without coercion, weigh health and safety risks, and find the support you need. Since we don’t provide or refer for abortion services, you can confidently do that here. Contact us to make an appointment for free testing, consultations, ultrasound pregnancy verification services, and more.
Get the Answers You Need Today.
No pressure. No cost. Just a safe place to explore your options and find support.