The Medical Abortion/Abortion with Pills is often done at home and works as follows:

• The abortion pack usually contains:
1. one tablet of Mifepristone (highlighted in green below), and
2. 4 to 8 smaller tablets of Misoprostol (highlighted in red below)

1. Mifepristone (also known as Mifegynae, Mifeprex, or RU-486) 
   
   
• This blocks the body’s own pregnancy hormone, progesterone, stopping growth and life of the fetus
• Usually, one tablet of 200mg is swallowed
• It helps prepare the uterus for an abortion. 
  
  
2. Misoprostol (also known as Cytotec or Misodel)

• • This causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus and remove the pregnancy (an abortion)
  • Usually, four small hexagonal tablets of 200mcg each (800mcg total dose)
  • These tablets are usually taken 24 hrs after the 1st pill.

• After Mifepristone and Misoprostol, often there is nausea and vomiting
  
• Once the uterus starts contracting there will be bleeding and pain until the uterus is emptied
  
• Tiredness, headaches, and fever are also possible
  
• Diarrhea and vomiting are also common, as are haemorrhaging and infection
  
• Follow up is essential, to make sure the uterus is fully emptied
  
• A ruptured uterus is possible, especially in women who had c-sections or other procedures on the uterus
  
• If a high temp persists after the first 24 hrs one must seek help as infection (sepsis) is another possible, serious complication
  
• Do not take medication for an abortion if you have an ectopic pregnancy.
  

• Due to the side-effects and risks involved, these are some suggestions:
  
• Stay with someone you trust when you take abortion pills at home
  
• Do not consume alcohol or sedatives
  
• Stay within easy reach of a hospital in case you need to ask for help
  
• Wear maxi pads so that you can have an idea of how much blood is coming out. If you fill four or more maxi pads in two hours, you will need to seek medical help.

• Watch a video on how a medical abortion using the abortion pills takes place, click here.
  
• Read stories of women using abortion pills at home, click here.

• Sometimes, medical abortions may be reversed – it depends on the timing and on the gestational age
  
• It must be shortly after taking Mifepristone, but before taking Misoprostol
  
• Seek medical advice immediately for Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) protocols
  
• Contact LifeLine on 2033 0023 for more information or assistance.

• Medical professionals administer high levels of progesterone. This makes up for the blocking effect of Mifepristone. This treatment is then continued for several weeks
  
• Even without this procedure, Mifepristone alone may still fail to abort the pregnancy.

• If performed early, this procedure has had a good success rate
  
• The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) reported that the procedure is safe and significantly more effective than waiting to see what happens without taking Misoprostol
  
• It is good to note that, if the pregnancy does continue, neither progesterone nor Mifepristone are known to cause birth defects.

See some videos of real stories where women took the abortion pill at home. Click here and scroll down to 'Abortion Pill Stories'