How to Prepare for an Abortion Pill
If you’re pregnant and considering abortion, you may already know about the abortion pill as one possible option. Before taking any medication, though, there are a few important things to understand so you can make an informed and confident decision.
Need answers now? Text a Nurse Advocate at (989) 762-1761 to talk through your questions.
Medical Abortion Checklist
1. Be Certain YOu Are Actually Pregnant
This may sound obvious, but when emotions are high, it’s easy to move forward before confirming what’s really happening. A home pregnancy test can be a first step, but it doesn’t always give the full picture.
You should never take the abortion pill without confirming pregnancy through a lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound. Medication abortion should always be taken with appropriate medical guidance to protect your health.
2. Know the Status and Stage of Fetal Development
About 10%–20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.¹ A positive pregnancy test alone cannot confirm whether a pregnancy is continuing. An ultrasound helps verify that the pregnancy is viable, meaning it has not miscarried and is not ectopic.²
An ultrasound also provides important information about how far along the pregnancy is. Because the FDA approves the abortion pill only through 70 days of gestation,³ confirming timing is an essential step before considering medication abortion.
3. Make Sure THis is YOur Decision
Pregnancy is a significant life event, and it’s common to hear strong opinions from people around you. Partners, friends, or family members may all have different views about what you should do.
Ultimately, this decision belongs to you. No one has the right to pressure, threaten, or coerce you into having an abortion. You have legal protections against being forced into a decision that is not your own.
If you’re feeling pressured or unsure, Positive Alternatives offers a safe, supportive, and confidential environment where you can speak with a Nurse Advocate who will listen and provide clear, accurate information about your options—without judgment.
4. Know The Risks
Abortion involves physical, emotional, and spiritual considerations, and it’s important to understand the risks ahead of time.
Testing for and treating any sexually transmitted infections (STIs) before an abortion is important. During a surgical abortion, the cervix is opened, which can allow an untreated infection to spread. For example, untreated chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which may increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy or infertility.⁴
It’s also important to know that surgical abortion is irreversible. Some women feel relief afterward, while others experience emotional or spiritual distress or regret. Being confident in your decision before proceeding can help you navigate what comes next.
Abortion Consultation Services
If you have questions or want to talk through the abortion pill and your options in a professional, confidential setting, Positive Alternatives is here to support you.
We offer a variety of services, including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and options consultations, all provided with care and respect.
To get started, schedule a consultation or text (989) 762-1761 to connect with a Nurse Advocate who can walk with you through the process and answer your questions.
Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy
3.https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/information-about-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594