The Abortion Pill Procedure | Orlando Women’s Center

The Orlando Women’s Center offers same-day abortion pill procedures, allowing eligible patients to receive their initial abortion medication during their first appointment, following a medical evaluation.

We proudly serve patients in Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale, providing compassionate, confidential reproductive healthcare services.

Contact us to learn more about eligibility and appointment availability.

What Is The Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill, also known as a medication abortion or medical abortion, is a safe and effective, non-surgical method of ending an early pregnancy.

It typically involves two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, which work together to terminate a pregnancy.

Medication abortion is commonly used during the first 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, depending on the treatment protocol and applicable medical guidelines.

It may also be used later in pregnancy under specialized medical supervision.

Unlike surgical abortion, the abortion pill does not require instruments to be inserted into the uterus. 

How Do Abortion Pills Work?

Mifepristone blocks the hormone Progesterone which causes the pregnancy to separate from the wall of the Uterus(womb).

Mifepristone causes the Uterus to contract and thus leads to vaginal bleeding and the pregnancy tissue to be expelled.

Essentially; RU486 is an anti-progesterone medication.

It works by binding (attaching) to the progesterone receptors on the wall of the uterus and promotes loss of the blood vessel supply to the pregnancy and causes the lining of the uterus to shed.

Progesterone is necessary to maintain uterine quiescence (prevents uterine contractions). Once progesterone is unable to bind to the uterus, the intrauterine pressure increases and uterine contractions are started.

There are local changes to the cervix that allow it to open and become soft. The softening and dilation (opening) is called “cervical priming”.

Taking Mifepristone alone can lead to a 2 to 3% chance of vaginal bleeding and a 1% chance of miscarriage prior to taking the second medication (Misoprostol).

RU486 alone was shown to cause abortions in 45 to 80% of women in 2 weeks in women who were up to 10 weeks gestation in the preliminary studies in the late 1970’s at the lab in France where RU 486 was discovered.

The failure rate was thought to be too high for Mifepristone to be used alone for the general population of patients.

Cytotec (Misoprostol) is a prostaglandin that is FDA approved to prevent gastric ulcers in patients who take chronic anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the incidence of gastric ulcers.

Misoprostol (Cytotec) is the second medication generally given 48 to 72 hours after the RU486 tablet. It binds to the Prostaglandin receptors on the Uterine wall to initiate uterine contractions that will end the pregnancy.

Misoprostol is a Prostaglandin E1 that was initially FDA approved in the mid-80’s to prevent gastric ulcers in patients who took chronic steroid anti-inflammatory medications.

It works by creating a layer of protection in the stomach lining.

The combination of RU 486 and Misoprostol are used in our offices to perform the one day abortion process in patients 3 to 24 weeks. This process is started and completed with minimal to no complications.

How Effective Is The Abortion Pill Procedure?

The abortion pill procedure is a highly effective and medically established method of ending an early pregnancy, with success rates generally ranging from 95% to 98% when mifepristone and misoprostol are used together during the first trimester.

The effectiveness of the abortion pill depends on several factors, including how far along the pregnancy is, the medications used, and whether the prescribed treatment protocol is followed correctly.

When used during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is successful in the vast majority of cases.

Is The Abortion Pill Safe?

The chance of delivering a term infant carries a 11 to 14 times higher risk of maternal death in comparison to having a Medical Abortion Pill Procedure performed.

The combination of RU486 and Misoprostol is a highly safe, effective and efficient means for termination of pregnancy. It is a viable alternative for women who do not wish to undergo a surgical abortion procedure.

A small percentage of complications occur in less than 1% of patients. The procedure has been used in Europe (France, UK), Norwegian and Scandinavian Countries since the mid 80’s.

There have been over three million first trimester medical abortion procedures performed in the US associated with a very low complication and side effect rate of 1% or less.

What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is a medically proven, safe, and highly effective method of terminating an early pregnancy.

However, as with any medical procedure, it may cause certain side effects, including cramping, vaginal bleeding, nausea, and temporary discomfort.

Most of these symptoms are a normal part of the medication abortion process, are generally manageable, and gradually subside within a few days.

The most common side effects are the following:

• Abdominal Pain: Abdominal pain which is generally mild may occur but lasts less than 24 hours unless a spontaneous miscarriage occurs which happens in 1 to 3% of patients before taking the Misoprostol tablets.

• Nausea and Vomiting: Common among patients who have been nauseated prior to taking the medication.

• Headache: Normally mild and goes away in 24 hours or less.

• Jaw pain.

• Shortness of breath.

• Shoulder Pain.

• Chest pain.

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear).

• Diarrhea or Constipation: Normally goes away in 24 hours or less.

• Dizziness and lightheadedness: Generally goes away in 24 hours or less.

• Vaginitis: Normally occurs several days after taking the Misoprostol medication on the second or third day. It can be dark brown, yellow or whitish clear discharge. There can be a foul smell. As long as there are no other symptoms (abdominal pain or elevated temperature) the woman does not need to be evaluated for this symptom alone. It may be addressed at the follow-up appointment.

• Chills and Fever: Usually only lasts 24 hours or less. If lasts longer, patient needs to call the office immediately.

• Vaginal Bleeding: Bleeding that is not heavier than a normal menstrual period and may last off and on for 7 to 14 days. Lighter bleeding and spotting may last from 30 to 60 days in a few rare cases. Bleeding that is heavier than 2 pads an hour for more than 2 hours must be addressed by medical personnel immediately.

• Swelling of the face and ankles: Should contact medical personnel immediately to be evaluated.

• Low or high blood pressure: Medical personnel should be contacted immediately.

How Soon Can Women Become Pregnant After The Procedure?

Ovulation can occur as early as 6 days after the abortion procedure is performed. The average is approximately 20 days.

Male or female Condom usage and the birth control pill should be started immediately.

Long term birth control measures (IUD, Depo Provera Injections or Progesterone Implants) should be discussed and started at the 3 to 4 week follow-up visit.

Post Abortion Recovery

Post abortion recovery time generally takes place within a few days. A small amount of bleeding and mild lower abdominal pain and uterine contractions generally lasts no more than 2 weeks.

Uterine cramps and blood clots may be relieved by performing a uterine massage where the woman lies on the bed and presses from below the navel toward the pubic bone for 30 minutes.

To help in the post abortion healing process, a heating pad or hot water bottle placed on the lower abdomen may be beneficial for alleviating the pain and discomfort.

Patients should call the Medical Office Immediately For The Following Problems:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding- bleeding more than 2 pads for 2 hours in a row.

• Severe Abdominal pain not relieved by medications and prevents one from doing light routine activities.

• Temperature greater than 100.4 for more than 24 hours that does not decrease with the usage of Tylenol, Advil or similar products.

Can You Get the Abortion Pill in Florida?

Florida has strict abortion regulations that significantly limit access to medication abortion. State law generally prohibits abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, with limited exceptions.

Florida also requires an in-person medical evaluation and does not permit abortion medications to be mailed directly to patients for abortion care.

Patients seeking medication abortion in Florida should contact a licensed abortion provider to discuss eligibility, current legal requirements, and available reproductive healthcare services.

Medical Abortion (Abortion Pill) Costs and Fees

The cost of the abortion pill procedure in the U.S for 10 weeks or less varies from one geographic area to another. The range is generally from $0.00 to $2,000.00.

For patients who are further in pregnancy, the fee to terminate the pregnancy depends on the number of weeks they are.

The price of the abortion process for patients who are 14.1 to 24 weeks ranges from $0.0 to $35,000.00.

From time to time, the Orlando Women’s Center offers free abortion pill services, including same-day appointments, to eligible patients at our Orlando and Tampa locations.

Availability and eligibility depend on individual medical circumstances and applicable state regulations.

Patients who choose this Abortion Pill procedure may have the option to remain in the office until the process has been completed or go home and return to the office the following day or at their convenience.

Call Us Now For Same Day Appointment or visit our blog to see our latest articles about abortion.

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