What Is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill, also known as medication abortion, consists of two different abortion pills that terminate the pregnancy. Only women up to 10 weeks of pregnancy are eligible for the abortion pill. An ultrasound is the only way to accurately confirm how far along you are in your pregnancy and that the pregnancy is viable. It is also required in the state of Ohio prior to any abortion procedure, including the abortion pill. The first abortion pill, Mifepristone, blocks the progesterone hormone and causes the lining of the uterus to thin, and stops the embryo from staying implanted or growing. The second abortion pill, Misoprostol, makes the uterus contract and releases the embryo through the vagina. Many women think this process is as easy as taking a pill, and it’s over. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.

How do I know if I am pregnant?

If you have had unprotected sex or experienced a failure of birth control and are having symptoms such as a late or missed period, tender or swollen breasts, fatigue, food cravings, aversions or nausea, you may be pregnant. Your first step in confirming your pregnancy is to receive a lab-quality pregnancy test followed up by an obstetrical ultrasound. We offer these tests and more free of charge at Ivy Women’s Center.

When should I take a pregnancy test?

When you become pregnant, your body will begin to produce the pregnancy hormone, known as hCG. It may take up to a week after a missed period for your body to produce enough of this hormone to be detected by a home pregnancy test. The best time to take a pregnancy test and obtain the most accurate results is 1-2 weeks after a missed period.

Why is it important to be tested for an STD while pregnant?

Left untreated, an STD can carry serious health risks, especially through a pregnancy. Regardless of the decisions you make about your pregnancy, it’s important to be tested and treated if an infection is present. This testing and treatment will help to prevent conditions such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and other serious complications to your long term reproductive health. Testing is quick and convenient, taking place during the same appointment as your consultation.

Is abortion legal in Ohio?

Yes. Abortion is legal in Ohio with the following restrictions, which are in place for the protection and safety of women: Women must receive state-mandated counseling at least 24 hours prior to having an abortion procedure. FDA protocols must be followed when providing a medical abortion Parental consent is required for minors prior to an abortion Women must receive an ultrasound prior to an abortion Abortions after 22 weeks of gestation are only available when the woman’s life is in danger.

Can I order the abortion pill online in Ohio?

Ohio state law and the FDA protocols require a doctor’s prescription for the abortion pill. This law is in place to protect women from potentially harmful pills ordered online and to make sure the abortion pill is taken within the correct window of time during the pregnancy (prior to 10 weeks).

Is it important to have an ultrasound?

Once a positive result is received on your lab-quality pregnancy test, the next step is to have a limited ultrasound. An ultrasound is not only required if you are considering an abortion, but it will also reveal important information about the pregnancy that is crucial to your health and safety. It will also help determine what type of abortion procedure is available to you.

Abortion Pill vs. In-Clinic Abortion

The abortion pill and an in-clinic abortion are two different medical approaches to ending a pregnancy. The abortion pill is a two-medication regimen—mifepristone and misoprostol—taken during the early weeks of pregnancy. An in-clinic abortion is a medical procedure performed at a clinic, with the specific type depending on how far along the pregnancy is.

Which one is available to you depends primarily on gestational age—how far along the pregnancy is—along with other medical factors.

At Ivy Women’s Center in Mentor, Ohio, our licensed medical staff can confirm gestational age and location of a pregnancy through no-cost medical-grade pregnancy testing and a limited obstetric ultrasound. These medical facts are the starting point for understanding any next step.

How the Abortion Pill Works

The abortion pill isn’t a single pill. It’s a two-medication regimen taken in sequence:

Mifepristone blocks the hormone (progesterone) that a pregnancy needs to continue.
Misoprostol is taken 24 to 48 hours later. It causes the uterus to contract and empty.

Both medications are prescription drugs in the United States. The FDA-approved use of mifepristone is through 10 weeks of pregnancy. Past that point, the FDA does not recommend using this method.

The process takes place at home. Follow-up care is important to confirm the pregnancy has ended.

How an In-Clinic Abortion Works

An in-clinic abortion is a medical procedure performed at a clinic by a licensed provider. There are two main types, depending on gestational age: aspiration abortion, typically used in the first trimester, and dilation and evacuation (D&E). Both should be performed with some form of pain management, and both typically include a follow-up appointment.

What Determines Which One Is Available

The most important factor is gestational age.

Through 10 weeks of pregnancy, the abortion pill is an option.
After 10 weeks, in-clinic procedures become the method used, with the specific type depending on how far along the pregnancy is.

Other medical factors that can affect eligibility include:

Certain medical conditions or medications
Prior surgeries involving the uterus
Whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus (an ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and requires different care)

Gestational age can only be reliably determined by a limited obstetric ultrasound. Home dating estimates based on your last period can be off by one to three weeks.

Is One “Better” Than the Other?

There isn’t a single medical answer to “which is better.” Both methods have similar effectiveness rates when used at the appropriate stage of pregnancy. The question of which is right for a given person depends on:

Gestational age (the primary factor)
Personal medical history
Individual preferences about setting and experience
Availability of each method

Most of these questions rest on medical facts about the pregnancy itself — the same facts a medical evaluation confirms.

What a Medical Evaluation Confirms

Before either method can be considered, three pieces of medical information are needed:

Confirmation that the pregnancy is ongoing through a medical-grade pregnancy test.
Gestational age measured by limited obstetric ultrasound.
Confirmation that the pregnancy is located in the uterus, which rules out ectopic pregnancy.

These are the same pieces of information your provider will need before proceeding with either method. Getting them in advance means you arrive at your next appointment with the medical picture already in hand.

At Ivy Women’s Center in Mentor, Ohio, all three are provided at no cost by licensed medical staff. No insurance is required to be seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the abortion pill safer than an in-clinic abortion?

Both methods have safety profiles that depend on being used at the appropriate stage of pregnancy. Neither is inherently safer than the other. Safety depends most on the medication or procedure being used in the right patient, at the right gestational age, after a proper medical evaluation.

Is the abortion pill cheaper?

Cost varies by provider and situation. A written estimate is the only reliable number for a specific case.

Can I get either one at Ivy Women’s Center?

No. Ivy provides medical-grade pregnancy testing, limited obstetric ultrasounds, STI testing, and confidential abortion consultations with licensed medical staff. Ivy does not prescribe, provide, or refer for abortion.

What if I don’t know how far along I am?

That’s a common starting point. A limited obstetric ultrasound is the most reliable way to determine gestational age—home estimates based on your last period can be off by one to three weeks. Ivy provides limited obstetric ultrasounds at no cost.

Get the Medical Picture First

Whether the abortion pill or an in-clinic procedure is even available depends on medical facts about your pregnancy, facts that can only be confirmed through a medical evaluation. Ivy Women’s Center, serving Northeast Ohio, provides that evaluation at no cost, confidentially, and with licensed medical staff.

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What’s the Difference Between the Abortion Pill and an In-Clinic Abortion?