Unexpected pregnancy? Thinking about next steps?

Anchor of Hope is here to support you and those closest to you. The staff and volunteers at Anchor of Hope care not just about your physical health, but we also care about your mental, emotional and spiritual health. We care about ALL of a woman’s health. We don’t care about you just for today but was care about you for the months and years ahead.

The decisions you make today will likely have a significant impact, not just for today or the next few days or weeks or months, but for the rest of your life. What feels overwhelming today often becomes manageable with better information, help and support. Trained medical staff at Anchor of Hope are here to walk with and beside you through your challenges and to provide accurate medical information in a safe and professional environment.

Are abortion pills really safer than Tylenol?

The “abortion pill” has been promoted as a fast, safe and private means to terminate a pregnancy. However, limitations and side effects of mifepristone/misoprostol (generic names) are less frequently discussed. These medicines are typically not used or recommended past 10 weeks from the beginning of your last menstrual period. Use of these drugs stops the natural hormones essential to maintain a safe and supportive environment in the uterus to grow a pregnancy.

What happens when you take these drugs? Mifepristone is given first and then 2 days later the misoprostol. These drugs cause the lining of the uterus to break down, much as what happens with your menstrual periods. It disrupts the natural bond between the placenta and uterine wall and causes the rich, supportive intrauterine environment necessary for fetal growth to dissolve.

 Having an ultrasound prior to taking these drugs is important for ruling out ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy in a fallopian tube. Taking the abortion pills if you have an ectopic pregnancy can cause serious complications. After taking the drugs you can expect to have vaginal bleeding and uterine contractions/abdominal cramping for 2 – 4 weeks.

Your safety matters.

Information you want to know. 

Persistent, prolonged heavy vaginal bleeding can be a sign of retained tissue and will require medical intervention. Fever, chills, worsening abdominal tenderness and pain can be a sign of post abortion infection and should be quickly evaluated by a medical provider.
There are many side effects to these drugs besides the 2-4 weeks of vaginal bleeding and cramping. Commonly reported adverse reactions include nausea (48%), fatigue (48%), vomiting (26%), headache (44%), short of breath (16%), diarrhea (12%), dizziness(22%), and anxiety(10%) all as documented in Drugs.com.

The list of other possible adverse reactions is long and include high blood pressure, fainting, low blood pressure when standing, racing pulse, heart pounding, and upset stomach. 

If you have certain medical conditions or are on certain antibiotics or antifungal medicines, anti-seizure drugs or some drugs for auto-immune diseases as well as a long list of less common drugs, the abortion pill is contraindicated. These are strong drugs, and it is advised that you clearly understand how these drugs might interact with you in your specific circumstances and how other medications that you take may increase risk of serious side effects.

Anchor of Hope offers ultrasound confirmation of pregnancy free of charge. We offer pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease testing, among other services. We place a high priority on your personal health, and we believe in your ability to find personal peace. That is why we are here to support you in your journey, no matter what you choose.