If you’re considering taking the abortion pill, you may wonder how long the process takes.
Unlike a surgical abortion, it does not take one appointment at a hospital or clinic. Instead, women take the first drug in a clinic and then finish the process at home.
Continue reading to learn about abortion pill timing. If you’re still in the decision-making phase and looking for a safe place to talk and receive early pregnancy services, visit Care Net Pregnancy Centers of Albuquerque. We can help you during this time.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The abortion pill (medical abortion) uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, taken about 24-48 hours apart. This means that the whole process, from start to finish, is likely to last for days.
The first drug, mifepristone, will end the pregnancy by blocking progesterone, a necessary hormone for the pregnancy to continue. The second drug, misoprostol, will trigger the uterus to contract, causing abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding to expel the pregnancy.
According to the Mayo Clinic, most women will expel the pregnancy 2-24 hours after taking misoprostol. Women may also experience vaginal bleeding and cramping for about two weeks.
Are You Having Second Thoughts?
If the reason you are searching for how long an abortion pill takes is due to second thoughts about the abortion, there might still be a chance to reverse it.
For women who have only taken the first drug, mifepristone, and haven’t yet started the second, misoprostol, abortion pill reversal could be an option. Abortion pill reversal works by adding progesterone back into your body to counteract mifepristone’s effects, but time is of the essence.
Abortion pill reversal is successful about 64-68% of the time in reversing the first abortion pill so a woman can continue her pregnancy. Many factors are at play in its effectiveness, including the time between when a woman takes mifepristone and when she starts the reversal process.
If you’re interested in abortion pill reversal or wonder about your specific case, call the 24/7 Abortion Pill Reversal Helpline at 877-558-0333.
Are You Concerned About How Long It’s Taking?
If you have already gone through the abortion pill process and are now wondering why you still have side effects like a fever or are experiencing heavy bleeding, contact your healthcare provider or visit the nearest emergency room.
You Deserve Full Information
At Care Net Pregnancy Centers of Albuquerque, we believe women should be informed and empowered to make their pregnancy choices through accurate information, support, and resources.
If you haven’t yet confirmed your pregnancy, schedule a free and confidential appointment for pregnancy testing and an ultrasound. We will provide health details that can help you make an educated choice and provide information on every option. We’re here for you.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.