Whether you’re still deciding about the abortion pill or have already taken it, one question matters: how do you know when the bleeding is too heavy? The answer is more specific than you might expect.
For accurate information and a no-cost confidential appointment, contact Oasis Women’s Services today.
What Bleeding to Expect
A medical abortion uses two drugs taken in sequence. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, the hormone required to sustain the pregnancy, causing the pregnancy to stop developing. Misoprostol, taken next, triggers uterine contractions that expel the pregnancy through cramping and vaginal bleeding.
Some bleeding is expected, and clots up to the size of a lemon are within the typical range. Bleeding heavier than a normal period is also common.
Signs That Require Immediate Medical Attention
Certain symptoms signal a complication that requires urgent care:
- Soaking through two or more full pads per hour for two consecutive hours
- Blood clots larger than a lemon
- Severe or worsening abdominal or pelvic pain
- Fever lasting more than four hours, or fever that begins in the days after taking misoprostol
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Dizziness, fainting, or a rapid heartbeat
These symptoms can indicate hemorrhage or incomplete abortion, both of which are serious. When something feels wrong, seeking emergency care right away is always the safer choice.
What an Ultrasound Can Tell You First
If you haven’t yet made a decision, a no-cost ultrasound at Oasis Women’s Services can tell you how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and whether the pregnancy is progressing normally.
This matters because the abortion pill is FDA-approved only through ten weeks of pregnancy, and a medical abortion cannot treat an ectopic pregnancy, a condition where the pregnancy develops outside the uterus and can become life-threatening.
Oasis also provides no-cost pregnancy testing and STD testing. Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Oasis Women’s Services today. Call or text (575) 736-6400.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.