Making informed medical decisions and monitoring your health will help you protect your well-being. And when you’re faced with an unexpected pregnancy, you need the facts about your options.
Medical abortion is one method that ends a pregnancy, and you’ll always experience bleeding with this procedure. But how do you know when the bleeding is severe?
Continue reading to learn more about this side effect and when to seek medical help. You can also make a free and confidential appointment at Cleburne Pregnancy Center to learn about your pregnancy options.
Understanding Medical Abortion
Medical abortion is FDA-approved through 10 weeks gestation and uses two drugs to end a pregnancy.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone vital for the pregnancy’s growth and development. Without this hormone, the pregnancy will detach from the uterus and end. Misoprostol is taken afterward and causes uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy and related tissues from the body.
If you have a medical abortion, you’ll always experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. Some women also experience additional side effects, including fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea.
The bleeding you experience from a medical abortion may be heavier than you expect. But how do you know when to seek medical attention?
If the bleeding causes you to soak two or more pads an hour for two hours, you should seek urgent medical attention. Other signs requiring additional care include:
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Severe abdominal or back pain
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Fever lasting more than 24 hours
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Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Why Is It Important to Seek Help?
If anything feels “off,” seeking immediate medical care is crucial. Being proactive can protect your health and help avoid complications.
Severe bleeding, a prolonged fever, and more could mean you’re experiencing a medical abortion-related risk, which can be severe. These risks include:
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Digestive system discomfort
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Infection
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Incomplete abortion (which may need surgical treatment)
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An ongoing pregnancy (if the drugs didn’t work)
If you’re still considering your pregnancy options, you need accurate information about each. Cleburne Pregnancy Center is here to help.
Why Visit Us?
An unexpected pregnancy can be stressful, and you deserve factual information about your options.
Abortion is illegal in most cases in Texas, but you should still get the facts to protect your health. We’ll provide a limited ultrasound to medically confirm your pregnancy and discuss your options.
You deserve to make a confident decision. Make a free and confidential appointment today to learn more.
Note: Abortion is currently illegal in Texas except in cases of life endangerment, but women cannot be held criminally or civilly liable for seeking one.
Cleburne Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortions.