Abortion Pill

For individuals who prefer to terminate their pregnancy at home, PPWP offers an abortion pill option. This service is provided for those who are less than 9 weeks pregnant.  There are three steps to this procedure:

On Day 1 of your treatment your doctor will give you a dose of mifepristone in tablet form to swallow at the clinic. Mifeprisone blocks the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, ends the pregnancy in the uterus, and causes vaginal bleeding.  

On Day 2 or 3 of the process at your home you will insert four tablets of another medication called misoprostol between your cheek and gum. After 30 minutes you would swallow any remaining pieces of the tablets. This medication causes the uterus to contract and empty with cramping and vaginal bleeding which will begin within 4 to 24 hours. You are given a prescription for medication to manage your discomfort. Within a week of your first visit you may choose to confirm that the termination was completed by either having a sonogramAn image produced by ultrasound—called also echogram, ultrasonogram. at PPWP or by having blood work at PPWP or an outside lab. If you choose to have the sonogramAn image produced by ultrasound—called also echogram, ultrasonogram. visit, you will have an opportunity to discuss birth control options at that time. Otherwise, you should have a post-abortion visit with a PPWP Family Planning clinic or at your private doctor’s office to obtain birth controlVoluntary limitation or control of the number of children conceived, especially by planned use of contraceptive techniques..  

An abortion with the abortion pill is usually complete within this time period although some clients may need to have a repeat dose of the misoprostol. In rare cases the process can take up to 3-4 weeks. At any time in the process the client may choose to have an in-clinic abortion if she doesn’t want to wait any longer.  

Women obtaining an abortion in the state of Pennsylvania are required to undergo state-mandated counseling at least 24 hours before taking the abortion pill or having an in-clinic abortion. PPWP can provide counseling over the phone or in person depending on the client’s preference. If you are under the age of 18 and want to obtain an abortion in the state of Pennsylvania you must have the consent of one parent or have completed a judicial bypass procedure. PPWP will provide information and assistance to patients seeking a judicial bypass.   

Additional Information related to Abortion Pill:

• Preparing Emotionally for Your Appointment
• What to Expect
• FAQs

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