Thinking About the Abortion Pill? 4 Things You Should Know First
19 hours ago
3 min read
If you are considering the abortion pill, you may have questions about how it works, how far along you can be, what a positive pregnancy test can actually tell you, or what happens if you change your mind.
With so much information available online, it can be difficult to know what information is accurate and what applies to your individual situation.
Before making a decision about abortion, here are four things you should know about the abortion pill.
1. The abortion pill involves two drugs
The term “abortion pill” can be misleading because chemical abortion involves two different drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone is taken first. It works by blocking progesterone, a hormone that is needed for a pregnancy to continue.
Misoprostol is taken afterward. It causes the uterus to contract and the cervix to open, resulting in the expulsion of the fetus and associated tissue from the uterus.
Understanding the role of each drug is important before beginning the process.
2. Timing is important
If you are considering taking the abortion pills, how far along you are matters.
The FDA-approved use of mifepristone in combination with misoprostol for ending an intrauterine pregnancy through 10 weeks (70 days) of gestation, measured from the first day of the last menstrual period.
Pregnancy dating can sometimes be uncertain, especially if your menstrual cycles are irregular or you don't remember the date of your last period. Knowing how far along you are can help you understand what options may be available to you.
3. A positive pregnancy test doesn't tell you everything
A positive pregnancy test can tell you that hCG, a hormone associated with pregnancy, has been detected. But a pregnancy test alone does not provide all of the information you may want to know about your pregnancy.
For example, a pregnancy test cannot determine:
How far along your pregnancy is
Where the fetus is located
Whether the pregnancy is developing normally
An ultrasound can provide additional information about the pregnancy, including its location and gestational age.
This can be particularly important when considering chemical abortion because mifepristone and misoprostol are not indicated for treating ectopic pregnancy. The FDA lists confirmed or suspected ectopic pregnancy as a contraindication to the mifepristone/misoprostol regimen.
Getting your pregnancy medically confirmed can help you better understand your situation before making a decision.
*Diclaimer: We provide ultrasounds to estimate how far along you are and assess whether the pregnancy appears to be developing in the uterus. An ultrasound alone cannot rule out an ectopic pregnancy. Contact us to learn more.
4. If you change your mind, abortion pill reversal may be an option
What happens if you take mifepristone and then decide you want to continue your pregnancy?
The Abortion Pill Reversal Network states that abortion pill reversal may be possible through the use of progesterone after mifepristone. According to the Network, the goal of the protocol is to counteract the effects of mifepristone and support continuation of the pregnancy.
The Network emphasizes that timing is important. It recommends beginning its protocol within 24 hours of taking mifepristone, while also reporting successful reversals when treatment was started within 72 hours.
Because an individual outcome cannot be guaranteed, anyone who has taken mifepristone and wants to explore abortion pill reversal should seek medical guidance promptly.
If you have taken mifepristone and changed your mind about continuing with an abortion, contacting a medical professional as soon as possible can help you learn whether abortion pill reversal may be an option for you.
Get the information you need before making a decision
Finding out you're pregnant can bring a lot of questions. You may be wondering how far along you are, what your options are, or what each option could mean for you.
You don't have to make a decision based on a positive pregnancy test alone.
At Alight, we offer free, confidential pregnancy services, including pregnancy testing, referrals to on-site ultrasound confirmation, and pregnancy options consultations.
An options consultation gives you an opportunity to ask questions, learn more about your pregnancy, and discuss your options in a confidential and supportive environment.
You deserve accurate information before making a decision about your pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant or are considering abortion, Alight is here to help you take the next step.
Sources
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 16 Sept. 2025.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Mifepristone Tablets, 200 mg.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Abortion Pill Reversal Network. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Abortion Pill Reversal Network.
