FAQ: The Abortion Pill (RU-486)
So, what is the abortion pill?
The abortion pill (aka RU-486) is a way to end a pregnancy that’s 10 weeks or less. It’s not a surgery—it’s a medical process done with two pills, usually taken at home.
Is it the same as Plan B or the Morning After Pill?
Nope—they’re totally different. Plan B and the Morning After Pill are taken before you know you’re pregnant to help prevent it. The abortion pill is taken after a pregnancy has started, to end it.
Do I take it at a clinic?
Most of the time, no. You take the pills at home. That’s why it’s super important to have someone with you, just in case anything unexpected happens—like heavy bleeding or bad cramps.
What side effects could I expect?
Besides bleeding and cramping, you might also deal with:
- Mild fever or chills
- Nausea or throwing up
- Diarrhea
- Light breast leaking (lactation) – yep, that can happen…
Do not take the abortion pill IF…
- You’re more than 10 weeks pregnant
- You’ve got an IUD still in place
- You have a blood clotting disorder or take blood thinners
When should I be worried about the symptoms I experience?
Call your doctor or head to the ER if you notice:
- Super bad-smelling discharge
- Big blood clots for more than 2 hours
- Soaking through 2 or more pads an hour for 2+ hours
- A fever over 100.4°F
- Or if you’re feeling really low, depressed, or having thoughts of hurting yourself
- If anything feels off or scary, don’t wait—call a doctor or go to the ER. Trust your gut. You know your body best.
Do I still need an ultrasound?
Yes! It’s important to confirm that the pregnancy is viable AND you need to know how far along you are. The only way to know for sure is through an ultrasound.
The content on this page has been reviewed and approved by our Medical Director. Hope Pregnancy Center does not administer, perform, prescribe nor refer for abortion procedures or medications.