What are other considerations I should know before taking the abortion pill?
Rh Disease
Rh factor is an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If your blood has the protein, you’re Rh positive. If your blood doesn’t have the protein, you’re Rh negative. It is important to know your blood type, and whether you are Rh negative or Rh positive during pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG), prevention of Rh disease is needed prior to taking the abortion pill. During pregnancy, problems can occur if you are Rh negative and your fetus is Rh positive. During labor and birth, or even when a pregnancy is not carried to term such as during an induced abortion, there is a chance that the fetal blood may mix with your blood, which would cause Rh antibodies to develop in your blood. These antibodies may cause problems to your future reproductive health. ACOG recommends that you find out if you are Rh negative early in pregnancy and, if needed, seek treatment to prevent these problems.
Anemia and Bleeding Disorders
According to the FDA, the abortion pill should not be taken by women who are anemic or who have bleeding disorders, or women who are on anticoagulant medications due to the risk of heavy bleeding. If you have unknown bleeding tendencies, you may unknowingly be in the population at risk. A routine blood screening, which could be as simple as a fingerstick, would inform you of any abnormal Hemoglobin or clotting values, and prevent further bleeding risks related to abortion.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
According to studies, women who have an untreated STD/STI such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea are up to 23% more likely to develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) following an abortion. Did you know that most women with Chlamydia or Gonorrhea experience no symptoms, and therefore it goes undiagnosed and untreated? Untreated STI’s and PID pose a serious health risk, including infertility, future ectopic pregnancy, future pregnancy complications, chronic pelvic pain and abdominal pain, sepsis (a serious blood infection), or an abscess around the fallopian tubes or ovaries which can be fatal if rupture occurs. If you are pregnant and considering abortion, it is important to receive STD/STI testing, and treatment if needed, to protect your future reproductive health, and prevent the risk of serious infection.
Ectopic Pregnancy
According to the FDA, ectopic pregnancy must be ruled out before taking the abortion pill. Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that is implanted outside of the uterus. This is a life-threatening condition if left untreated, and the abortion pill does not terminate an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies can go undiagnosed due to some women not experiencing any symptoms at all. Your pregnancy can be assessed by an ultrasound to determine its location.
Read More About Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) Studies Here:
Progesterone use to reverse the effects of mifepristone – PubMed (nih.gov)
A case series detailing the successful reversal of the effects of mifepristone using progesterone – PubMed (nih.gov)