Having an abortion entails so many considerations—physical, emotional, and financial. What kind of abortion should I have? When should I have it? What would it cost? How do you look after yourself before, during, and after the abortion? There are several such questions to think about and plan accordingly, because, as they say, when you plan, you increase your chances of succeeding.
In this month of love, we want to give you the gift of a checklist, which will help you prepare for your abortion. From determining the duration of your pregnancy, managing nutrition, and making a safety plan, this checklist has all the important issues covered.
Checklist
Pregnancy Duration: Use a pregnancy calculator to estimate how far along you are based on your last menstrual period.
Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUD): If you have an IUD (e.g., coil IUD or progesterone IUD), ensure it is removed before taking abortion pills.
HIV Status: If you have HIV, make sure you are on antiretroviral medicines and maintain overall good health.
Privacy: If privacy is a concern, consider placing abortion pills under the tongue rather than in your vagina.
Breastfeeding: You can breastfeed as normal when having an abortion with pills. Mifepristone and misoprostol can enter the breast milk, but the amounts are small and they should not cause any side effects in the baby. If you are still nervous about it, you can breastfeed the baby, take the misoprostol pills, and wait 4 hours before you breastfeed again. If you need to take another round of misoprostol pills, breastfeed again before taking the pills. However, this is completely optional and up to your preference.
Anemia: If you are anemic, identify a healthcare provider within a 30-minute radius to reach them quickly in case of a complication and consult a doctor if you are severely anemic before using abortion pills.
What to have at home for an abortion with pills: Abortion pills (one 200-mg pill of mifepristone and four to eight 200-mg pills of misoprostol or twelve 200-mg pills of misoprostol) , ibuprofen, sanitary pads, a heating pad or bottle and warm clothes.
Nutritional Guidelines: Eat lightly,e.g., crackers or toast may help with nausea.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the entire abortion process.
Comfort: Use misoprostol in a private area where you can lie down for a few hours afterward, if desired.
Support System: Have someone available to bring you tea or food and provide care during the process.
Pain Management: Consider taking ibuprofen directly after using misoprostol to minimize cramping pain.
Emergency Medical Centers: Medical emergencies are rare, but to be safe, identify the nearest 24-hour emergency medical centers and ensure you can reach them within 1 hour (or 30 minutes if anemic).
Transportation: Plan for transportation to emergency medical centers, considering options like having a companion, and taking a taxi or public transportation.
Cost and Availability: Determine the cost and 24-hour availability of transportation options.
Communication with Healthcare Providers: Think about what to tell doctors, considering legal restrictions on medical or at-home abortions in your location.
Information for Doctors: If needed, use generic statements like “I’m unsure what’s happening” or “I just started bleeding” to describe symptoms, protecting privacy in regions with legal restrictions on abortion.
Know what to expect after using abortion pills: Be aware of what you might feel after having a medical abortion and be able to recognize possible signs of complications.
Preparing adequately not only ensures your safety and comfort but also optimizes the abortion process. By following the checklist, you can approach abortion at home with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that you are well-prepared. If you still have any questions or just want to know more about any of the things mentioned in the checklist, feel free to contact us by sending an email to info@howtouseabortionpill.org.
At HowToUseAbortionPill, we provide information about safe abortion with pills. Our website is available in 26 languages and we also have a multilingual chatbot named Ally, which can answer many of your questions any time of the day.