How prevalent is the abortion pill?
About 63% or two-thirds of all reported abortions in the US are now done with the abortion pill.
In 2022, there were 1,064 reported abortions in Berks County. This number does not include the abortions that were not reported or for women who ordered the abortion pill online without a doctor’s authorization. Women who have serious complications after a medication abortion and go to the ER often do not disclose that they are experiencing an abortion, and physicians are not required to report these visits.
In PA, abortion is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
What is the abortion pill?
The most common abortion pill is a combination of two different drugs taken 24 to 48 hours apart. The first pill, Mifepristone blocks the pregnancy hormone progesterone from reaching the baby, causing the baby to die. The second pill, Misoprostol causes severe cramping which expels the baby from the uterus, ending the pregnancy.
The abortion pill is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for women who are up to 10 weeks pregnant or 70 days or less from the first day of their last menstrual period.
Taking the abortion pill is also known as a “medical” or “medication abortion.”
Is the abortion pill safe?
Women have been told that the abortion pill is as “safe as Tylenol,” but a new study by the Ethics and Public Policy Center has found that of the 865,727 medication abortions between 2017 and 2023, 10.93%, or 1 in 10 women experienced a serious complication, including infection, hemorrhage, incomplete abortion, or sepsis. This number is at least 22 times higher than the original clinical trials reported. Clinical trials previously cited by the FDA for the brand Mifeprex in 2023 said fewer than 0.5% of women suffered those complications.
In addition, safeguards were revised after Roe was overturned to increase access to the medication.
- A medication abortion now requires as little as one telehealth visit with a healthcare provider, not necessarily a physician.
- A woman can self-administer medication received from a mail-order pharmacy.
- Prescribers are not required to report any complications unless the prescriber knows the patient has died.
Is the abortion pill “Plan B” or “birth control?”
Plan B, birth control, and the abortion pill are not the same. Plan B is a single pill containing a large amount of the progesterone hormone found in some birth control pills. If taken within 72 hours of sexual activity, it may delay or prevent ovulation or disrupt the attachment of the embryo to the uterus. Oral contraceptives may prevent ovulation so that a woman does not get pregnant. The abortion pill is designed to end a pregnancy in women up to 10 weeks pregnant.
How might a woman feel after taking the abortion pill?
In addition to severe pain from cramping and bleeding for one to two weeks, many women also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
Following an abortion, many women feel emotional distress and regret. Mercy is here to help women heal from the trauma of abortion.
Can a medication abortion be reversed?
If only the first pill has been taken, the abortion may be reversed in some cases. We refer clients to the 24/7 Abortion Pill Reversal Helpline: 1-877-558-0333. Here, they will find kind medical professionals who can help.
How does Mercy help women who are considering abortion?
Mercy does not provide or refer for abortions. We are here to answer questions about abortion risks and side effects, adoption, and parenting, speaking the truth in love.
We believe women deserve objective information on their pregnancy options from a resource that does not profit from their decisions.
At Mercy, women are heard and treated with respect. We share that God has created her and her baby with love and for a purpose. We walk alongside women with love and support regardless of their decision.
