At-Home Abortion Information

We do not provide or refer for abortions at Vida; we are here to help you understand all of your options so that you can make an informed decision.

What is an at-home abortion?

There are many terms for an At-Home Abortion: chemical, online, self-induced, self-managed, the abortion pill, or medication abortion. It is important to be informed about the process, its side effects, and how to reverse the process if you change your mind. Vida does not provide or refer for abortion pills.

What is the at-home abortion process?

It is a two-step process for the pregnant woman wanting to end her pregnancy. The first step is taking a drug called Mifepristone (also known as Mifeprex or RU-486,) which blocks the progesterone in the woman’s body needed for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus, sustain, and nurture the pregnancy. The second drug called Misoprostol (aka Cytotec) is taken 24-48 hours later causing the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. These chemicals are taken up to 70 days (10 weeks) into a pregnancy. It is important to have the pregnancy medically verified by having an ultrasound done by a medical professional. Ultrasound measures gestational age (how far along you are,) determines location of pregnancy, and shows the rate or absence of fetal heartbeat.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. If the pregnancy is located outside of the uterus, this is an ectopic pregnancy, and can be life-threatening to the woman. Taking these drugs when the pregnancy is beyond the 70 days (10 weeks) may be ineffective or may leave behind tissue that can lead to infection. There is no way to know this information without having it medically verified through an ultrasound performed by a medical professional.

What are the side effects of an at-home abortion?

As with any medication, there are risks and side-effects, which can range from mild to severe. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warns about taking these drugs without medical supervision and has even put a black box warning on them, which is the highest level of precaution. Buying medications over the internet will bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health.

Common side effects are:

Nausea and/or vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever and/or headache
Cramping or pain
Bleeding heavier than a normal period

It is important to know beforehand how to handle severe symptoms and where to go for medical intervention. Heavy bleeding, severe or intense abdominal pain, faintness, and/or fever will require immediate medical attention. Bleeding & spotting is likely to last from two to four weeks afterwards. If any tissue of the pregnancy is not expelled from the woman’s uterus, this can lead to infection and potentially cause a reaction throughout the body, which can be deadly. Tissue left in the uterus will require a surgical procedure to remove it. Any scarring from infection or a surgical procedure may affect future fertility making it difficult or impossible to get pregnant in the future.

How do I reverse the at-home abortion process if I want to?

If you have taken the first medication used for a chemical abortion, and you feel regret, worried for your safety, or feel pressured to continue the process, it may not be too late to reverse the process. You always have the choice to change your mind. Reversing the process is a medically supervised regimen of progesterone replacement that is most successful if begun within 24-72 hours after taking the first drug. Initial studies have shown a 64-68% success rate. Even if more than 72 hours have passed, it may not be too late and there is help.

Vida offers Abortion Pill Reversal onsite at our clinic. Contact our medical clinic at 920-731-4354 to connect with our nurses and provider, visit abortionpillreversal.com, or call 1-877-558-0333 to talk to someone and be connected to the nearest provider in your area.

Request An Appointment Today

FAQ's

Why do I need to see a provider in person before taking the abortion pill?

Having a medical provider perform a pregnancy test and ultrasound can only be done in person. These tests will give important medical information such as location of the pregnancy, gestational age, and viability versus possible miscarriage. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Some side effects of the abortion pill can mirror symptoms of ectopic or tubal pregnancy, which is life-threatening, and can lead to death without immediate medical intervention.

Does Vida provide a pre-abortion screening?

Yes, Vida provides free, confidential pre-abortion screening appointments for women who are considering an abortion, have scheduled an abortion, or have ordered the abortion pills by mail. A screening appointment includes medical verification of your pregnancy, an ultrasound to determine viability vs. miscarriage, estimation of how many weeks you are into the pregnancy, STD/STI testing, and consultation with a nurse.

Is chemical abortion safe without medical supervision?

Potential side effects after taking the abortion pill can include heavy and prolonged bleeding, intense pain, infection, fever, incomplete abortion, and even death. If complications occur, the woman is usually home and potentially alone without medical intervention immediately available.

Is it necessary to have an ultrasound before an abortion?

Ectopic or tubal pregnancy is one that is not located in the woman’s uterus and is a medical emergency. Having an ultrasound is essential to show the location and gestational age of the pregnancy. The ultrasound seeks to prove that the pregnancy is progressing normally by detecting a heartbeat versus a possible miscarriage. Failure to get help for an ectopic pregnancy can lead to rapid bleeding in your abdomen from a ruptured internal organ, shock, or even death.