What to Expect after Taking the Abortion Pill
- Experiences with the abortion pill vary significantly from woman to woman — both physically and emotionally.
- Some women experienced bleeding and pain similar to their period after taking the mifepristone/misoprostol combination. Others had more severe cramping and side effects that required medical intervention.
- Frequently, women recount that being alone during the medical abortion was particularly difficult and that they also found it hard to process the experience afterwards. In retrospect, some women also struggle with their choice and even regret it.
- ⚖️ Wondering whether to have an abortion? Take the Abortion Test
- 🏥 Abortion methods – What do I need to know? — Quiz
Is the abortion pill right for me? How does Mifeprex® work? Where can you get it? What is a medical abortion like? If you want to know what to expect when taking Plan C pills and are wondering whether this is the right path for you, take this quiz and receive an immediate evaluation!
Women Share Their Stories of Using the Abortion Pill
The severity of abortion pill side effects differs greatly from one woman to another. For some, the bleeding and cramping after taking misoprostol is no worse than their monthly period:
'I took the abortion pill at the doctor's two days ago and misoprostol last night. It's not as bad as everyone says. For me, the pain was like my normal period. The bleeding has not been much heavier than my menstruation — just much longer and with more clumps of tissue. I think these factors are making the whole process easier for me. Of course, I'm still wondering whether it was the right choice because it still wasn't an easy decision.'
(Excerpt from Marlene's letter to her Profemina counsellor)
Other women experience more severe physical side effects or intense pain:
'I've had a mild flu all week. With a heavy heart, I went to see my gynaecologist the day before yesterday and was given the first pill. Yesterday, I had severe side effects: chills, fever and constant vomiting. In the evening, I went to A&E out of sheer desperation. They put me on a drip for an hour. That helped a bit. Today, I've tolerated the second round of pills well so far and can eat a little again. But the guilt and the sense of being alone with it all remain.'
(Excerpt from Lisa's letter to her Profemina counsellor)
'On the 20thof March (day 57 since my last menstrual period), I took the abortion pill at the clinic. After that, I didn't notice any physical effects, but emotionally, I wasn't doing so well. All of a sudden, I had become very sad and listless...
Then on the 22ndof March (59 days LMP), I went back to the clinic and took the other tablets (4) vaginally. Afterward, I had to stay there for three hours. (...) Within half an hour, I felt very nauseous and vomited several times. Even though I had taken 1000mg of ibuprofen 1.5 hours before, I was still in a lot of pain.
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After throwing up, I felt much better. I then lay on a stretcher in a room to myself (...) The pain became manageable for the next hour, and then it really started. I felt nauseous and was in a lot of pain. I was told that bleeding usually starts after two hours, which was now up. Then it hurt extremely for just under an hour, and I had very severe cramps. That was the worst pain I've ever had in my life. Unfortunately, there is no way to sugarcoat it. Then it started letting up... Then I had to vomit again several times, and after three hours, my bleeding still hadn’t started. Then, after just under four hours, I started bleeding a little. At that point, the pain was not as intense, so we quickly went home, taking the two remaining tablets with us. At home, the pain sometimes became more severe and then would let up again. I had to vomit two more times. The bleeding was still not very heavy, and I then took the last two tablets vaginally in the evening. (...)'
(Excerpt from Enya's post on the Profemina Forum, 30 March, 2023)
Depending on the woman's situation, external pressure to take the abortion pill may increase the emotional repercussions:
'My partner's insistence put me under so much pressure that I saw no other option than to take Mifeprex® two days ago. Yesterday, I regretted it deeply. This morning, I took Cytotec®, and the baby's remains were even visible. Now, I am freed from the pressure, but I have done something that I regret and that no one will ever be able to restore to me.'
(Excerpt from Susanne's letter to her Profemina counsellor)
For more information on the types and details of abortion procedures, go to:
- The Abortion Pill
- Vacuum Aspiration
- D&C Abortion
- D&E Abortion
- Induction Abortion
- Which Type of Anaesthesia
Wondering whether an abortion could adversely affect you?
Go to the following pages with embedded quizzes:
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At-Home Abortion
Is It for Me?
Still Undecided and Seeking Guidance?
Every woman experiences abortion very individually — both physically and emotionally — and the situation leading up to such a decision also varies from woman to woman. If you are facing this question and wondering what steps to take, you are probably dealing with a wide range of issues and concerns. Perhaps you still feel torn and are unsure what to do? You don't have to walk this road alone!
We would love to be there for you by providing you with free counselling resources that help you determine the path you want to take. Click on the link below if you would like to take part in our weeklong Decision Coaching sessions. Each daily email is packed with tips, food for thought, a quiz and real-life stories from women like you.
