Abortion Pills: Can I have an abortion at home?

The abortion pill, officially named RU-486, was first approved in Europe in the 1980s and took two decades to be approved in the United States. Since September 28, 2000, American women have taken two different kinds of pills – mifepristone and misoprostol – to end a pregnancy. Upon consumption, the pills work to block the hormones that are necessary for a pregnancy to proceed, if complications are not present.

Our compassionate, knowledgeable team is happy to talk to you about the abortion pill prior to taking it and answer all of your questions. We know you need answers, and you need those answers quickly. Make an appointment with us today and we will see you within 24 hours of your inquiry. Text “appointment” to 404-777-4771.

What You Need to Know About the Risk of Taking Abortion Pills at Home

There are two ways you can receive abortion pills – from a clinic or via the mail. Both present challenges due to the entirety of your care not being handled by a doctor. Let us highlight the two options:

1. If you receive abortion pills at a clinic, you’ll take the first pill (mifepristone) at the clinic. You’ll take the second pill (misoprostol) at home roughly 24 – 48 hours after the first pill was taken. The clinic staff will instruct you on when and how to take the abortion pill at home. On average, taking the abortion pills at a clinic will cost roughly $400 – $700, depending on the provider.
2. If you order an abortion pill through the mail, you must first have a telemedicine visit with a doctor. After the visit, the doctor will likely place the order for you and the abortion pills will arrive via mail within a few days. On average, receiving the abortion pill via mail normally costs about $250 – $350, depending on the provider.

The Importance of an Ultrasound Before Taking Abortion Pills

An ultrasound will confirm if a pregnancy has actually formed. If you take abortion pills but you are not actually pregnant, it can be life-threatening or cause serious harm to your body. When you make an appointment with Women’s Clinic of Atlanta, we can conduct an ultrasound so we can see immediately whether a pregnancy has formed.

Side Effects of the Abortion Pills

The abortion pills force your body to terminate and expel the pregnancy, so the following side effects are to be expected after taking the abortion pills:

• Bleeding
• Chills
• Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Vomiting

These side effects could last more than 24 hours after you take the second pill. If you’re experiencing side effects passed the 24-hour mark, contact your medical provider immediately to ensure an infection hasn’t formed.

Learn more about the Georgia abortion law and other abortion information in our blog series:

1. Do I need a pregnancy blood test before taking the abortion pill?
2. Georgia Abortion Law FAQs
3. Morning After Pill FAQs
4. Abortion Pills: What You Need to Know about a DIY Abortion
5. Ectopic Pregnancy, Miscarriages, Medical & Surgical Abortions… What’s The Difference?
6. Heartbeat Bill: What can I do if there’s a detectable heartbeat?

Women’s Clinic of Atlanta is HIPAA compliant and AAAHC accredited.