What is important to know before using the abortion pills?

1. To confirm the pregnancy.

2. To know the length of pregnancy. This can be best estimated by counting the days since the first day of the last menstruation. To easily calculate the length of pregnancy, use the pregnancy calculator on the right hand side of this page.

3. To make a plan.

It is important to have someone for support and in case of a medical complication, although complications are very rare. It is good to get ibuprofen for the cramps. If a woman is nauseous due to pregnancy, she can consider taking an anti-nausea medicine so that she does not vomit up the pills.

Plan to start the medicines as soon as possible. An abortion with pills at home is safest and most effective if done before 9 weeks of pregnancy.

On the day of taking the medicines, one can eat and drink normally. The medications don't need to be taken on an empty stomach. Avoid drinking alcohol or eating heavy meals while taking the medicines. Be sure to keep the medicines away from children.

Think about what day you want to take the misoprostol (the second pill that provokes cramps and bleeding), and on that day, try to be somewhere comfortable and near a bathroom.

4. To confirm that there are no serious medical conditions or an IUD. If she has an IUD it must be removed before using misoprostol.

5. To confirm that there is a possibility to get to medical care in case of an emergency within 2 hours, and make a plan for how to get there in case it's needed.