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Understanding the Abortion Pill: Cytotec, Complications, & Pregnancy Confirmation

If you’re considering a medication abortion (commonly called the abortion pill), you need to understand three things:

  • Cytotec (and how it works)
  • The potential complications and risks
  • The importance of pregnancy confirmation 

This information is crucial for making an informed decision about your health and future. 

Understanding Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Cytotec is the brand name for misoprostol, the second pill in the abortion pill regimen. 

Cytotec causes uterine contractions, which empty the uterus and end the pregnancy. It carries significant risks, especially when used without proper medical supervision.

Understanding the Complications 

Medication abortion carries potential risks and complications that every woman should understand before making a decision:

Common Side Effects[1]

  • Bleeding that can last up to a month
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea and digestive pain
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Abdominal cramping (caused by Cytotec)

Serious Complications

  • Incomplete abortion. An incomplete abortion happens when pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus. Surgery may be required to complete the abortion.[2]
  • Infection. Infections happen when pregnancy tissue remains in the body. They can be life-threatening if left untreated.[3]
  • Hemorrhaging. The abortion pill can cause hemorrhaging, which may require blood transfusion or surgery to treat.[4]
  • Undetected ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that implants outside of the uterus. It can cause the implantation site to rupture if not treated in time. This is a life-threatening medical emergency that cannot be treated by the abortion pill. 

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

Seek emergency medical attention if you experience[5]:

  • Bleeding that soaks through two or more pads per hour for two consecutive hours
  • Fever above 100.4°F for more than four hours
  • Severe pelvic pain that doesn’t improve with pain medication
  • Signs of infection (foul-smelling discharge, vaginal burning, or itching)

The Importance of Pregnancy Confirmation

Before considering any abortion procedure, confirming your pregnancy with proper medical testing is absolutely essential. Here’s why:

 

Accurate Dating of Conception 

The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period.[6]

Taking the medication beyond this timeframe increases the risk of complications and may require further medical intervention, including emergency surgery to address excessive bleeding or incomplete abortion.[7]

Viability Assessment

A viable pregnancy indicates that the pregnancy is progressing normally and has the potential to continue to term. During an ultrasound, technicians check for signs like a detectable heartbeat, which typically appears between 6.5 and 7 weeks of gestation.[8]

If a heartbeat cannot be detected, it may indicate that a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy has occurred. In these cases, alternative medical care is required, especially for ectopic pregnancies, which can be life-threatening if untreated.

Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. This condition:

  • Cannot be detected by home pregnancy tests alone… an ultrasound is needed.
  • Can cause a rupture and life-threatening internal bleeding if not treated in time.
  • Is not treated by surgical or medical abortion.

Care Net Pregnancy Center of IRC provides free ultrasounds to determine how far along you are and whether your pregnancy is viable. Give us a call at (772) 569-7939 to see if you qualify for an ultrasound.

Call Us

Considering the Abortion Pill in Vero Beach, Florida? Visit Care Net Pregnancy Center of IRC First. 

Whatever decision you make about your pregnancy, it should be made with complete, accurate information about your health status and all available options. We encourage you to:

  • Understand how the abortion pill works
  • Understand the complications of the abortion pill
  • Confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound
  • Consider your personal circumstances, values, and goals
  • Seek support from trusted healthcare providers
  • Take time to carefully consider your decision

You don’t have to face this decision alone. Our caring staff provides free ultrasounds, accurate information, emotional support, and practical assistance to help you navigate an unplanned pregnancy.

Give us a call at (772) 569-7939 or schedule your appointment online today. 

Make an Appointment

Please be aware that this article is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Our limited ultrasound examination is strictly for the purposes of confirming your pregnancy, detecting fetal cardiac activity, and estimating gestational age. We cannot diagnose any medical problems you may be experiencing, pregnancy-related or otherwise. Additionally, we do not provide or refer for abortion services. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the abortion pill if I’m not sure how far along I am?

No, it’s crucial to have an ultrasound to determine gestational age before taking abortion medications. The pills are only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, and using them beyond this timeframe increases the risk of complications. However, Florida law currently prohibits most abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy.[9]

Is it safe to order abortion pills online?

We strongly advise against obtaining abortion medications online or from unregulated sources. Pills obtained online may be counterfeit, expired, or improperly stored, significantly increasing health risks.

What if I have certain medical conditions?

Some medical conditions may make you ineligible for medication abortion, including[10]: 

  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Problems with your adrenal glands
  • Allergies to mifepristone and/or misoprostol 
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Liver disease
  • If you are being treated with long-term corticosteroid therapy
  • If you have an IUD
  • If you’re taking blood-thinning medication

Always disclose your complete medical history to healthcare providers, so you can make a safe decision for your health.

Sources

    1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
    2. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
    3. See source #1.
    4. FDA. (2019, July). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf
    5. See source #1.
    6. FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
    7. Redinger, A., & Nguyen, H. (2022, June 27). Incomplete Abortions. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559071/
    8. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, March 3). Fetal Development. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
    9. The Florida Senate. (2023, April 14). SB 300: Pregnancy and Parenting Support. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/300  
    10. See source #6.