Am I Pregnant? 

Someone asked us: How can I tell if I’m pregnant? I think I might be but idk and I need to know now.

The only way to know for sure if you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. 

Signs of pregnancy — like a missed period — can give you a “hint” that you MAY be pregnant, but it doesn’t mean you are. Many other things can also feel similar to pregnancy symptoms, like PMS.

It can be super stressful not knowing, and it’s totally normal to want an answer as soon as possible. Lots of people end up frantically searching the internet, trying to figure out whether they’re pregnant based on what they read online. But the reality is that Dr. Google can’t tell you if you’re pregnant — only a pregnancy test can.

You can use a regular pregnancy test that you can buy at most drugstores, superstores, dollar stores, and grocery stores. They’re very accurate as long as you take them after you miss a period. It doesn’t matter what brand you get or how much it costs — they all work the same way. Store-bought pregnancy tests are just as accurate as a urine pregnancy test that you’d get at a doctor’s office.

You can also get a pregnancy test from your nearest  health center. 

If your pregnancy test is positive, it’s important to see a nurse or doctor right away to learn about your options and make sure you stay healthy — no matter what you decide to do about your pregnancy.

But be careful: There are places called “crisis pregnancy centers” or “pregnancy resource centers” that advertise free pregnancy tests and counseling. They may seem like normal medical clinics, but they aren’t. They usually don’t even have real doctors or nurses working there. These places are run by people who want to scare or shame you out of getting an abortion or using birth control, and they often give misleading or wrong information about pregnancy and sexual health.

Something else to keep in mind: you can only get pregnant if semen (cum) gets on your vulva or in your vagina. So if you haven’t had vaginal sex or gotten any semen inside your vagina since your last period, you can’t be pregnant.

You can always count on Planned Parenthood to give you the real facts, without shame or judgment. If you have more questions, contact us. You can also talk with a live health educator on our Chat/Text line — it’s totally free and confidential.

You may have cramping, bleeding, and spotting after your abortion.

You’ll want to rest for a while, but most people are back to their usual activities the next day.

It is dependent on your procedure. We usually say that you will be in no more discomfort than you would normally be with your period.

We can provide you with suitable pain relief on the day should you be uncomfortable.

8 out of 10 people do not experience pain and usually Paracetamol is enough to help you feel comfortable. Heat packs also work effectively.

Depending on procedure you will be consulted by a Nurse and Doctor, they will give you information about the process for your specific procedure.
 

The cost of abortion varies depending on many things like:

• The type of abortion you need
• How far along your pregnancy is
• The state or health center where you get care
  Whether you have health insurance (private or government insurance like Medicaid) that will help pay for your abortion
• Whether you can get other types of financial assistance to help cover the cost of your abortion

The abortion pill causes cramping and bleeding that can last several hours or more. You can be at home, or wherever is comfortable for you. Plan on taking it easy for the day.

What do I need to do before I take the abortion pill?

Before you take the abortion pill, you’ll meet with your nurse, doctor, or health center staff to talk about whether abortion is the right decision for you, and what your abortion options are.

If you go to the health center in person, you may get an exam, lab tests, and an ultrasound to figure out how far into your pregnancy you are. In some states you can do a virtual visit, and if lab tests are needed you can do that at a local lab test provider.

Your nurse or doctor will let you know if there’s anything else you need to do to prepare for your abortion. They’ll give you written instructions on how to take your pills. You will have access to a caring professional through the process — you’ll get a number you can call 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns.

You’ll have a lot of bleeding and cramping after you take misoprostol, so plan ahead to make the process more comfortable. You can be at home, or wherever is comfortable for you to rest. 

You may also want to have someone you trust with you (or nearby) that you can call if you need anything. 

The abortion process takes several hours, so try to clear your schedule for the day and just focus on caring for yourself if you can.

Stock up on maxi pads, food, books, movies, or whatever you like to help pass the time, and a heating pad for cramps. 

Make sure you have some pain medicine like ibuprofen — but don’t take aspirin because it can make you bleed more.

What happens during a medication abortion?

The abortion pill process has several steps and usually includes 2 different medicines: mifepristone and misoprostol. You can also have an abortion using only misoprostol.

First, you take mifepristone. This pill stops the pregnancy from growing.  Most people don’t feel anything after taking the mifepristone.

The second medicine is misoprostol. You’ll either take the misoprostol right away, or up to 48 hours after you take the first pill — your doctor or nurse will let you know how and when to take it. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding that empties your uterus. The pregnancy tissue will come out through your vagina. 

The process is very similar to an early miscarriage.

You can take pain medicine like ibuprofen about 30 minutes before you take the misoprostol to help with cramps. 

Don’t take aspirin, because it can make you bleed more. You can also take anti-nausea medicine if your doctor or nurse gives it to you to help with side effects.

You can expect the cramping and bleeding to start 1-4 hours after taking the misoprostol. 

It’s normal to see large blood clots (up to the size of a lemon) or clumps of tissue during the abortion. But the pregnancy itself is very small — at 8 weeks, an embryo is about ¼ to ½ inch long. 

You may not see it when it comes out, especially if you’re less than 8 weeks pregnant.

The cramping and bleeding can last for several hours. 

Most people finish passing the pregnancy tissue in 4-5 hours, but it may take longer. The cramping and bleeding slows down after the pregnancy tissue comes out. You may have cramps on and off for 1 or 2 more days.

It’s normal to have some bleeding and spotting for several weeks after your abortion. You can use pads, tampons, or a menstrual cup —  whatever’s the most comfortable for you. But your nurse or doctor may recommend you use pads while the abortion is happening so you can track how much you’re bleeding.

The last step is to make sure the abortion worked. You may go back into the health center for an ultrasound or blood test. Or you’ll get a pregnancy test to take at home, followed by a phone call with your nurse or doctor if you want. These tests will make sure the abortion worked and that you’re healthy.

In the unlikely case that the abortion doesn’t work and you’re still pregnant, your doctor or nurse will discuss your options with you. You may need another dose of medicine or to have an in-clinic procedure to complete the abortion. 

If you have any questions or concerns during or after your abortion, Planned Parenthood can help you, even if we didn’t provide your abortion.

How does a medication abortion feel?

For most people, medication abortion feels like having an early miscarriage. You might have:

• lots of cramping and aches in your belly
• very heavy bleeding with large clots (If you don’t have any bleeding within 24 hours after using the second medicine, misoprostol, call your nurse or doctor.)
• an upset stomach and vomiting (Your doctor or nurse may give you medicine to help with nausea.)
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• tiredness
• mild fever (99-100° F) or chills on the day you take misoprostol. 
• If you have a fever after the day you take the misoprostol pills, call your doctor or health center right away — it could be a sign that you’re getting an infection.

To help ease pain and make you more comfortable, you can:

• Take pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Don’t take aspirin because it can make your bleeding worse.
• Take anti-nausea medicine.
• Put a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly.
• Take a shower.
• Sit on the toilet.
• Have someone rub your back.

It varies from person to person. You’ll probably have some bleeding and cramping after your abortion, so plan on resting in a comfortable place afterwards.

Most people are back to their regular activities within a day, but recovery after a D&E can take a little longer. You can take pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). 

You can also put a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly or have someone rub your back. If you’re not feeling well after a couple of days, call your doctor or nurse.

You may have a range of emotions after having an abortion. Studies show that most people feel relief, but sometimes people feel sad or regretful. Many people feel all these things together.

However you feel is totally normal — everybody’s experience is different. But if your mood keeps you from doing the things you usually do each day, call your doctor or nurse for help.

You can also call Exhale or All-Options for free, confidential, and non-judgmental emotional support after an abortion — no matter how you’re feeling. For spiritual support before, during, or after an abortion.

You can get pregnant right after your abortion, so it’s a good idea to talk with your nurse or doctor about birth control as soon as you can — they can help you find a method that’s right for you. You can start using birth control immediately after having an abortion.

Some doctors, abortion clinics, and Planned Parenthood health centers can put an IUD in your uterus right after your abortion, during the same procedure.

This is really convenient because you’ll get super effective birth control without having to go to a separate appointment. Ask about getting an IUD at the same time as your abortion when you call to make your appointment.

Medication abortion is very safe. In fact, it’s safer than many other medicines like penicillin, Tylenol, and Viagra. Serious problems are rare, but like all medicines, there can be risks.

What are the possible risks of taking the abortion pill?

Medication abortion has been used safely in the South Africa for more than 20 years. Serious complications are really rare, but can happen. These include:

• the abortion pills don’t work and the pregnancy doesn’t end
• some of the pregnancy tissue is left in your uterus
• blood clots in your uterus
• bleeding too much or too long
• infection
• allergic reaction to one of the medicines  

These problems aren’t common. And if they do happen, they’re usually easy to take care of with medicine or other treatments.

In extremely rare cases, some complications can be very serious or even life threatening. Call your doctor or health center right away if you:

• have no bleeding within 24 hours after you take misoprostol
• have heavy bleeding from your vagina that soaks through more than 2 maxi pads in an hour, for 2 or more hours in a row
• pass large clots (bigger than a lemon) for more than 2 hours
• have belly pain or cramps that don’t get better with pain medication
• have a fever of 100.4 or higher more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol
• have weakness, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol

You should start to feel better the day after your abortion. Feeling sick with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, or a fever for more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol can be a sign of infection. 

Call your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of those symptoms. Serious problems can cause death in the most rare cases, but abortion is typically very safe. In fact, pregnancy and childbirth is riskier than most abortions.