Taking the Abortion Pill

Whenever and wherever is most comfortable for you

Frequently Asked Questions & Information

You’re not alone. We’re here to help you feel comfortable and prepared to take your abortion pills.

What is the abortion pill?

Abortion pills are the same as a “Medication Abortion”. Taking abortion pills somewhere other than a clinic is commonly referred to as “Self Managed Abortion”. When we say “at home”, we recognize that many people do not take the pills in a home, but instead in a place that feels the most comfortable for them.

The “abortion pill” is usually actually 2 medications: Mifepristone (“Mife”) and Misoprostol (“Miso”). Sometimes people will take just Misoprostol for an abortion. Taking both medications or just Misoprostol are safe and effective ways of terminating a pregnancy. Both Mife and Miso are FDA approved medications.

More than half of abortions in the US are with abortion pills

Taking the abortion pill is safe, effective, and common. You can access abortion pills many ways, including online through the mail or in a clinic.

Are abortion pills safe?

Abortion pills are incredibly safe. In fact, they
are safer than taking Tylenol, Viagra, and
some antacids! Abortion pills have been around for decades and there is a lot of research proving that they are safe to use.

Where can I get abortion pills?

You can check out PlanCPills.com to find out how to get abortion pills in your state.

Are abortion pills legal?

It’s complicated, and depends on your state and gestational age (how far along in pregnancy you are). Each state has different laws around abortion. This means that it can be harder to find and access abortion pills in states that have more restrictions and bans on abortion. Accessing abortion pills is protected in Colorado.

If you are unsure of what your state laws are, or are interested in learning more, check out this resource on abortion laws by state.

Many doctors around the country are using laws in their home states called “shield laws” to legally mail abortion pills to people in states where abortion is restricted. Taking abortion pills in a state where abortion is restricted or banned does not necessarily mean that what you’re doing is illegal, however there may be risks. Please see our section below on keeping your information safe and private.

If you live in a state where abortion is banned and you’re interested in getting abortion pills, abortion funds like the Colorado Doula Project can help. Please reach out to us through our Abortion Support Network for help.

If you live in a state where abortion is banned, have taken abortion pills, and are concerned about your safety or have questions, you can reach out to us through our Abortion Support Network for help.

Who can take the abortion pills?

You can take the abortion pill if:

  • You are under 12 weeks (84 days) pregnant
    (disclaimer: it is safe to take abortion pills at and past 13 weeks, but please consult a provider or doula before doing so. Many doctors will not provide abortion pills after 12 weeks)

  • You do not have an IUD

  • You do not have a history with ectopic pregnancy

How can I make taking the abortion pills more comfortable?

Below are some steps to prepare for taking your abortion pills to make it more comfortable.
We recognize that not all of these are possible for everyone.

Stock up on all the things that you need to be comfortable

Below is a list of things that might help make your experience more comfortable:

  • A heating pad, hot water bottle or microwavable rice sock

  • Ibuprofen (also called Advil or Motrin)

  • Plenty of hydrating liquids, including water and electrolytes

  • Sanitary napkins, maxi pads, or diapers

  • Pepto Bismol or other anti-nausea medicine, in case you get nauseous

  • Peppermint or ginger tea, in case you get nauseous

  • Baby wipes or soothing, medicated wipes

Have a support system

Misoprostol can cause pretty painful cramps. It can be helpful to have someone around to help bring you water, make you food, or sit with you through the discomfort.

We know that a lot of people do not have someone safe to help them through this process. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to us through our Abortion Support Network for virtual doula support to talk through the process.

You can request a care package that includes pads, tea, a heating pad, and pregnancy tests by hovering on “I Need Support” at the top of the page and clicking on “Health Supplies and Other Resources”.

Have a safety plan

Less than 1% of people who take abortion pills will need to see a doctor for complications. Symptoms like intense cramping, nausea and vomiting, excessive bleeding, and passing of blood clots are normal when taking Misoprostol.

Some signs that you should talk to a medical professional or visit an emergency medical center are:

  • Bleeding through more than 2 maxi pads per hour for 2 consecutive hours (4 pads total)

  • Passing blood clots larger than a lemon

  • Fever that is not responding to medicine

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if you live in a state where abortion is banned, we recommend that you first talk to your care provider who knows you have taken Misoprostol. If you cannot reach them, or if one does not exist, you may call the Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline at 1-833-246-2632.

We recommend having a safety plan in case you need it. This includes:

  • Identifying your nearest 24-hour emergency medical center.

    • If you live in a rural area without a 24-hour medical center within a 45-minute drive, you may want to consider staying with a sympathetic friend or family member closer to a hospital

  • A plan to get to that emergency medical center. This should be a friend, partner, or rideshare–do not depend on yourself to drive. 

  • Ambulance response times in your community. 

    • They may be particularly slow if you live in a low-income urban area or a rural area.

  • What you will tell your doctors.

Drink lots of water and fluids

It is important for your health to stay hydrated when you take abortion pills!

Have a safe and comfortable place

When you take the Misoprostol, we recommend being in a safe place where you can lie down and rest for a couple hours or the entire day. We recommend taking off of work, if possible, for two days: one for while you take the Misoprostol and a following day to rest.

You may want to consider tidying up your space beforehand, if that feels good to you. Some people like to start their experience with clean sheets on their bed, clean towels nearby, and extra clean, comfy clothes and sets of sheets if yours get soiled. You may also want to clean your toilet (in the case that you are vomiting, it’s generally more pleasant to do that in a clean toilet) and sanitize your bathtub with a disinfectant cleaner, if baths are soothing to you.

If you are a parent, you may want to arrange some childcare during your experience. Arranging a sleepover out-of-the-house for older kids, or asking a trusted person to watch the children may give you some peace and quiet to focus on yourself, if only for a few hours. You may want to consider arranging for a dog walker or someone to watch other pets or livestock.

If you do not have a safe place to take your abortion pills, we may be able to help. Although we cannot guarantee support, you can reach out to us through our Abortion Support Network and we will assess capacity.

Know what you will tell a medical professional
if you need help

Less than 1% of people who take abortion pills will need to see a doctor for complications. Symptoms like intense cramping, nausea and vomiting, excessive bleeding, and passing of blood clots are normal when taking Misoprostol.

In some states, there are laws that restrict access to abortion. However, there are many people who are still legally and safely using abortion pills in these states.

If you think that something is wrong after taking abortion pills and you are nervous about what a doctor might think, please know that once bleeding starts from abortion pills, what happens next is exactly the same as what happens during a miscarriage. As long as you take your Misoprostol orally and not vaginally, there will be absolutely no evidence that you are having an abortion that could be tested for during an exam. 

If you live in a state with bans or restrictions, you should assume that any medical staff you come into contact with is anti-abortion and may report you. Here are things NOT to say to members of your medical care team, including your doctor:

  • DO NOT SAY YOU ARE HAVING AN ABORTION

  • Do not share more than what is medically necessary.

  • Do not share that you recently left the state. Do not share that you went to a clinic. Do not say that you have seen another doctor at any point during your pregnancy.

Here are things you CAN say to members of your medical care team, including your doctor:

  • I’m not sure what’s going on, I just started bleeding.

  • I suddenly started bleeding, and I’m scared that something is wrong.

How to have an abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol

We recommend following the instructions given by the provider, if you have them. However you get the abortion pills, you will likely be given one 200mg pill of mifepristone and four to eight 200mcg pills of misoprostol. Some providers may give you twelve pills of misoprostol. You’ll also want to have a painkiller on hand, like ibuprofen, to help manage pain.

Step 1:

Prepare for the abortion. Make sure you have a place that feels safe and comfortable for about 2 days. We recommend having lots of water and fluids, good snacks, a heating pad, and ginger chews or tea in case you feel nauseous.

Step 2:

Swallow one 200mg pill of mifepristone with water.

Step 3:

Wait 24-48 hours. Do not proceed to Step 4 before 24 hours or after 48 hours.

Step 4:

If possible, take a painkiller 30 minutes before you take the misoprostol. We recommend taking 800mg of ibuprofen.

Place 4 misoprostol pills (200 mcg each) in your cheek between your cheek and gums and hold them there for 30 minutes as they dissolve. You should not speak, drink or eat for these 30 minutes, so that they don’t move around. After 30 minutes, drink some water and swallow everything that is left of the pills.

Symptoms from the misoprostol, like bleeding and cramping, may start in as soon as 30 minutes. You should begin bleeding and cramping within 3 hours of using the misoprostol.

Step 5:

Wait 3 hours after taking the first 4 misoprostol pills. If you were given a total of 8 misoprostol pills, place 4 more pills of misoprostol in your cheeks and repeat the process in Step 4. If you were given a total of 12 misoprostol pills, please follow the provider’s instructions on how to take the remainder.

You should begin bleeding and cramping during this process of taking the pills. Make sure to take all 8 or 12 pills even if you start to bleed before you’ve taken all of them.

How to have an abortion with Misoprostol only

We recommend following the instructions given by the provider, if you have them. However you get the abortion pills, for an abortion with only misoprostol, you will typically take eight to twelve 200mcg pills of misoprostol. We strongly recommend having a painkiller on hand, like ibuprofen, to help manage pain.

Step 1:

Prepare for the abortion. Make sure you have a place that feels safe and comfortable for about 2 days. We recommend having lots of water and fluids, good snacks, a heating pad, and ginger chews or tea in case you feel nauseous.

Step 2:

If possible, take a painkiller 30 minutes before you take the misoprostol. We recommend taking 800mg of ibuprofen.

Place 4 misoprostol pills (200 mcg each) between your cheek and gums, two on each side, and hold them there for 30 minutes as they dissolve. You should not speak, drink or eat for these 30 minutes, so that they don’t move around. After 30 minutes, drink some water and swallow everything that is left of the pills.

Step 3:

Wait 3 hours.

Step 4:

Place another 4 misoprostol pills (200mcg) between your cheeks and gums, two on each side, and hold them there for 30 minutes until they dissolve. You should not speak, drink or eat for these 30 minutes, so that they don’t move around. After 30 minutes, drink some water and swallow everything that is left of the pills. After 30 minutes, drink some water and swallow everything that is left of the pills.

Step 4:

Wait another 3 hours.

Step 5:

We recommend always following the provider’s instructions on taking the remaining misoprostol. If you were not given instructions and received twelve pills, place another 4 misoprostol pills (200mcg) between your cheeks and gums, two on each side, and hold them there for 30 minutes until they dissolve. You should not speak, drink or eat for these 30 minutes, so that they don’t move around. After 30 minutes, drink some water and swallow everything that is left of the pills. After 30 minutes, drink some water and swallow everything that is left of the pills.

You should begin bleeding and cramping during this process of taking the pills. Make sure to take all 8 or 12 pills even if you start to bleed before you’ve taken all of them.

What if something goes wrong? How do I know if I need to see a doctor?

Less than 1% of people who take abortion pills will need to see a doctor for complications. Symptoms like intense cramping, nausea, bleeding, and passing of blood clots are normal when taking misoprostol.

Some signs that you should talk to a medical professional or visit an emergency medical center are:

  • Bleeding through more than 2 pads per hour for 2 consecutive hours (4 pads total)

  • Passing blood clots larger than a lemon

  • Fever that is not responding to medicine

We recommend having a safety plan in case you need it. This includes:

  • Identifying your nearest 24-hour emergency medical center

  • A plan to get to that emergency medical center

  • What you will tell your doctors

In some states, there are laws that restrict access to abortion. However, there are many people who are still legally and safely using abortion pills in these states. If you think that something is wrong after taking abortion pills and you are nervous about what a doctor might think, here are some things that you can say:

  • I’m not sure what’s going on, I just started bleeding.

  • I suddenly started bleeding and I’m scared that something is wrong.

If you have taken the abortion pills and are concerned about your health, consider if you have experienced the above. If you have concerns and are not sure if you should go to an urgent care, we recommend contacting the M + A Hotline for advice from a medical professional.

How do I know if it worked?

Abortion pills are extremely effective. If you felt the common effects of the abortion pills, including bleeding, cramping, and passing blood clots, it is very likely that the pills worked. If you did not bleed within 24 hours of taking the abortion pills, please contact an abortion provider or doula for information on how to get more abortion pills or schedule a procedure. You can contact us through our Abortion Support Network.

It is recommended to wait about 5 weeks after your abortion to take a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called hcG. While hcG decreases in the body immediately after an abortion, it can still be in your body in low amounts for a few weeks. This is why if you take a pregnancy test too soon after your abortion, you may get a false positive, which means you get a positive result when you are not actually pregnant. We recommend either waiting about 5 weeks after your abortion to take another test or schedule an ultrasound with your provider.

When should I take a pregnancy test?

Abortions can be hard on your body and your mind. Below are some suggestions of food, herbal support, and self-care to help with the healing process after your abortion.

Caring for your body and mind after your abortion

Food to help support your body after your abortion

Eating foods that support the body after an abortion is important to
help replenish nutrients, support the liver, and balance hormones.

Protein

Foods high in protein help with physical healing by creating new hormones and blood clotting. Try eating:

  • Meats (ideally grass-fed)

  • Wild-caught fish

  • Beans and lentils

  • Eggs

  • Tofu

High-quality fats

Eating essential fatty acids supports hormone production and hormone balance. Try eating:

  • Coconut oil

  • Avocado oil

  • Grass-fed meats and fats

  • Try to avoid processed foods, which often contain rancid oils

Iron

Eating foods rich in iron is necessary to create certain hormones and hemoglobin, which is a part of red blood cells. Try eating:

  • Red meat

  • Liver

  • Molasses

  • Eggs

  • Lentils

  • Dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens, etc.

Bone Broth

This “superfood” has a wide array of the amino acids our bodies need in order to make proteins, hormones, and components of a well-functioning immune system. Bone broth is incredibly healing to the gut and deeply nourishing. It is very easy to make yourself, and much cheaper. Recipes can be found online. If you want to purchase it at a store, bone broth is in the freezer section of many grocery stores. Avoid the shelf-stable "bone broth" in the soup section.

Hormone balancers

There is often a crash of hormones after a miscarriage or abortion, so eating foods or taking supplements or vitamins that support the production of hormones is helpful for mitigating this. The cofactors necessary to create hormones include:

  • Dietary protein (meats, fish, eggs, tofu, etc.)

  • "Good" cholesterol (olive oil, salmon, berries, avocado, nuts, and seeds)

  • Essential fatty acids (fish, tofu, chia seeds, flaxseed oil, walnuts)

  • Zinc (shellfish, eggs, meat, nuts, and seeds, dairy, whole grains)

  • Vitamin C (citrus fruits, broccoli, brussels sprouts, strawberries)

  • All of the B vitamins (red meat, leafy greens, eggs, dairy, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast)

  • Magnesium (pumpkin seeds, almonds, spinach, cashews, peanut butter, whole wheat bread, soy milk, edamame)

Probiotics

Usually, people are prescribed antibiotics after an abortion to stave off infection. It is a good idea to take a high-quality probiotic 2 hours before or after the antibiotics for the duration of their use. This is because antibiotics wipe out the good bacteria in your digestive system, and probiotics help to replace them.

Herbal supplements for physical and emotional healing

Herbs can be helpful in supporting the body to feel its best after an abortion. Ideally, one should consult an herbalist, alternative health care practitioner, or other trusted sources for proper dosing instructions and safety considerations around herbs. Be careful. People with heart, liver, or kidney issues should consult a medical or herbal practitioner before taking any herbs.

Nutritives

These are nutrient-dense herbs that help replenish our vitamin and mineral stores and support healing.

  • Nettles: has one of the highest vitamin and mineral contents of any herb

  • Red Raspberry Leaf: lovely uterine tonic

  • Oatstraw: long term use can be very supportive of nervous system health

How to use: Make a calming tea by placing 2-3 tablespoons of herbs into a tea strainer and immersing it in boiling water. Don't forget to cover the tea cup while it steeps to get the strongest healing benefits from the herbs!

Nausea

One of the side effects of misoprostol is nausea and vomiting. Some remedies for nausea include:

How to use:

  • Peppermint

  • Spearmint

  • Ginger

  • How to use: Smelling Peppermint essential oil is helpful for many people. You can also make a strong tea with any of the above herbs.

Immune supportive herbs

Sometimes going through a procedure like this makes us vulnerable to infection, and that's why people get put on antibiotics. Always a good idea to support the immune system at this time.

  • Echinacea

  • Kelp

  • Reishi and shiitake mushroom

  • Miso

How to use: Take capsules, as a tincture, or drink echinacea tea to prophylactically stimulate the immune system to prevent infection. Any of these can be purchased as capsules, tinctures, or made into tea.

Liver supportive herbs

These help support our body’s hormone balance during this time.

  • Burdock

  • Dandelion Root

  • Calendula

  • Turmeric

  • Milk Thistle: This is best taken either in capsules or in a tincture form. Follow the instructions on the bottle

How to use: Any of these may be taken as tinctures or made as tea. Use approximately 2-3 tablespoons of herb in 2 cups of water.

Grief herbs

Certain herbs can help with grief by nourishing the heart, both physically and emotionally.

  • Hawthorn berries: nourish the heart and uplift the spirit, toning the spiritual heart as well as the physical cardiovascular system

  • Rose: supportive to the heart

  • Motherwort: supportive to the heart

  • Devil’s Club: amazing medicinal for helping nourish and protect the spiritual heart, helping to create boundaries

  • Hyssop: helpful to process and release grief

  • Marjoram: helpful to process and release grief

  • Tulsi (Holy Basil): helpful to process and release grief

How to use: These can be teas 2-3 tbsps or tinctures

Nervous system-supportive herbs

Similar to full-term labor, being relaxed can help facilitate the passing of fetal tissue. These herbs can reduce stress and anxiety, and can also be helpful for grief.

  • Chamomile

  • Skullcap

  • Lemon Balm

  • Catnip

  • Peppermint

  • Oatstraw

  • Lavender will help relax the nervous system

How to use: Make a calming tea by placing herbs into a tea strainer and immersing them in boiling water. Don't forget to cover the tea cup while it steeps to get the strongest healing benefits from the herbs!

Antispasmodics

Antispasmodic herbs may help alleviate some cramping and pain.

  • Cramp Bark

  • Black Haw

  • Wild Yam

  • Peony Root

How to use: These are best taken in tincture form. Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle.

Self-Care and Aftercare

During times of high-stress, we can forget to make time for self-care. It can be helpful to start some of these suggestions 3-7 days before your abortion to make the recovery period easier.

  • Get plenty of rest. Give yourself permission to take time off of your responsibilities and take time off work if possible. Allow yourself plenty of sleep, take naps, and be gentle with yourself.

  • Drink plenty of water and fluids. Herbal teas can often be drying or diuretic (increase urination), so be sure to replace the water you lose. Drink more water than you think you need. Stay hydrated.

  • Make a plan for aftercare. Call upon friends, abortion doulas, or other support people to help in the weeks after the event. Having loved ones bring you food, or even just having food made and prepared, can take a lot of weight off your shoulders – it’s similar to postpartum care requirements.

  • Have a person on call to support you in case of a (rare) complication. Consider what support you’d like, whether that’s emotional support, logistical, having someone physically present, etc.

  • If this is a spiritual experience for you, think about what you need and what that may mean for you. Find spiritual leaders, guides, or support people to talk through your experience with.

  • Find people to talk to. It is often helpful to have someone to hold space for you so that you can process and share your feelings if need be. Find a support group, and reach out to your community.

Hormonal changes after your abortion

During early pregnancy, the body creates and has high levels of a hormone called hCG.

Once the contents of the uterus are expelled, hCG levels drop dramatically (because it is the embryo itself releasing the hCG) which signals the body to stop releasing progesterone. Progesterone and estrogen levels will then drop dramatically.

The amount of time it takes for the body to regulate its hormonal cycle after an abortion varies from person to person. It is possible that it will return to “normal” as soon as the abortion occurs, and ovulation may be only a few days later. Most agree that hormone levels should regulate itself by about six weeks after the abortion.

The hormonal changes can be experienced in many ways. For some, it will manifest similarly to PMS and other more familiar hormonal fluctuations:

  • Emotional swings

  • Food cravings (most often sugar)

  • Physiological changes (slowed metabolism)

  • Exhaustion

  • Depression

  • Headaches: some people experience “the worst headache of their life” due to this sharp drop in hormones

Online security and privacy

Your abortion experience is yours only. You get to decide when and whom to share it with. If you are concerned that someone will interfere with your plans to have an abortion or are worried that someone will judge or harm you, keeping your abortion private can be important. Here are some tips on how to keep your abortion your own:

  • Use Signal for free, secure texting and phone calls.

If you have questions about how to keep your abortion secure and private online, check out this resource.

They can help you with issues like:

  • Avoiding advertisements related to pregnancy and abortion

  • Tech and phone companies stories your information, text, and phone history

  • The person paying the phone bills can see your text history

  • If your phone gets stolen, they can see your browsing history

  • Protesters outside of a clinic might violate your privacy