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Medication Abortion

UHPP provides the abortion pill ("medication abortion" or "MAB") for up to 11 weeks. You can schedule a medication abortion online or by calling 518-434-5678. 

The Abortion Pill at a Glance 

  • Take medication to end an early pregnancy safely and effectively 

  • Patients will take mifepristone (the abortion pill) at a UHPP clinic and receive misoprostol to take at home any time within 48 hours. Most people will have a complete abortion within 4-24 hours of using misoprostol, but some bleeding and cramping may persist for a few days to weeks.  

  • Patients will be given post-abortion self-care, medication, and a birth control method if they would like. Any complications experienced during or after an abortion procedure must be reported to UHPP immediately. For your convenience, UHPP is available by phone 24 hours a day. 

  • Follow-up is required after taking the abortion pill to make sure it worked. There are different options for how you can follow up. 

What Is the Abortion Pill? 

The abortion pill is a medicine that ends an early pregnancy. In general, it can be used up to 77 days (11 weeks) after the first day of a person's last period. People who need an abortion and are more than 11 weeks pregnant can have an in-clinic abortion. 

The name for "the abortion pill" is mifepristone. It was called RU-486 when it was being developed. 

How Effective Is the Abortion Pill? 

You can feel confident in knowing that medication abortion is very effective. It works about 97 out of every 100 times.  

Some of the medicines used in medication abortion may cause serious birth defects if the pregnancy continues. So, in the unlikely case that it doesn't work, you will need to have an aspiration abortion to end the pregnancy. 

What Happens During Medication Abortion? 

It's common for patients to be nervous about having a medication abortion, or any other medical procedure. But many of us feel better if we know what to expect. Your health care provider will talk with you and answer your questions. Here's a general idea of how it works and what to expect. 

Before taking the abortion pill, you will need to: 

  • discuss your options 

  • talk about your medical history 

  • have laboratory tests 

  • read and sign papers 

  • maybe have an ultrasound 

You will also be given a medication guide, instructions, and other information to take home with you, including a 24/7 phone number you can call if you have any questions or concerns. 

Medication abortion is a process that begins immediately after taking the abortion pill. There are three steps: 

Step 1:  The Abortion Pill (Mifepristone)

Your health care provider will give you the abortion pill at the clinic. The abortion pill works by blocking the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, and pregnancy cannot continue. 

Step 2: Misoprostol

  • You will take a second medicine, misoprostol. It causes the uterus to empty. You and your provider will plan the timing and place for the second step. You'll take the misoprostol up to two days after taking the abortion pill. Your provider will give you instructions on when and how to take the second medicine. 
  • Misoprostol will cause you to have cramps and bleed heavily. Some patients may begin bleeding before taking the second medicine. But for most, the bleeding and cramping begin afterwards. It usually lasts a few hours. You may see large blood clots or tissue at the time of the abortion. 
  • More than half of patients pass the pregnancy tissue within 4-5 hours after taking misoprostol. For others, it takes longer. Usually, the process is complete within a few days. 
  • It's normal to have some bleeding or spotting for up to four weeks after the abortion. You may use sanitary pads, tampons, or menstrual cups. Using pads makes it easier to keep track of your bleeding. 

How Does it Feel?

For most people, medication abortion feels like an early miscarriage. It is normal for you to have bleeding and cramping. You might also: 

  • feel dizzy 

  • feel strong cramps 

  • feel nauseous or vomit 

  • have diarrhea 

  • feel temporary abdominal pain 

  • have temporary mild fever or chills 

Acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil) can reduce most of these symptoms. Do not take aspirin. 

Step 3: Follow-Up

Follow-up is very important to ensure your abortion is complete and that you are well. Your UHPP provider will help determine the best follow-up option for you. This could be:  

  • An additional appointment for an ultrasound or blood test 

  • Taking an at-home pregnancy test

If you’d like, a UHPP nurse can call you to check how you are feeling. 

Please click here for MAB appointment instructions. If you have any questions or concerns about your in-clinic abortion, you can contact UHPP at 518-434-5678. 

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