Abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding is an expected side effect of a medical abortion. It’s important to monitor how much you are bleeding to reduce the risks of complications and ensure your safety.
This is just one of the risks of a medical abortion. To get all the necessary facts, visit us at Pregnancy Help Center of South County. We offer no-cost pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, education, and support.
What Is A Medical Abortion?
A medical abortion is the process of terminating a pregnancy using drugs. Commonly referred to as “the abortion pill,” a medical abortion uses a series of two drugs called mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, while misoprostol creates bleeding and cramping to empty your uterus.
Other side effects to be aware of are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
How Much Bleeding Is Too Much?
Your healthcare provider will inform you about the expected level of bleeding based on the number of weeks of your pregnancy. During this period, you might need to modify your usual daily activities, but bed rest is generally not necessary. Ensure you have a sufficient supply of absorbent sanitary pads.
Shortly after taking misoprostol, you can expect bleeding with blood clots over the next several hours. This will be followed by period-like bleeding that can last for several days. You may also experience light to moderate bleeding for several weeks afterward.
Heavy bleeding is described as soaking two or more pads an hour. This is a sign that you may require medical attention after a medical abortion. Don’t wait for your follow-up appointment.
Get The Care You Deserve
Whether you want to get no-cost pregnancy services or to meet with our peer counselors to get you the valuable information you need, we have you covered at Pregnancy Help Center.
Get the care you deserve in a safe and private space. You can make an appointment today.