You took the abortion pill expecting the pregnancy to end. But what happens if you still feel pregnant afterward, or you find out that the pregnancy is continuing?
An ongoing pregnancy after taking the abortion pill needs medical follow-up to determine what is happening. Symptoms alone cannot always give you the answer, and bleeding does not necessarily mean the abortion was complete.
If you are unsure whether your pregnancy has ended, you should reach out quickly to your healthcare provider, who may perform ultrasounds and tests.
At Arise Center for Women, we also offer no-cost pregnancy testing and limited ultrasound services to provide more information. You can also talk with the team about your questions, circumstances, and next steps.
Contact us to make your appointment. We are here for you.
An Ongoing Pregnancy Can Happen
The abortion pill is intended to end an intrauterine pregnancy, but sometimes the pregnancy continues. An ongoing pregnancy is listed as a known risk of a medical abortion.
One reason follow-up matters is that bleeding does not prove that the pregnancy has ended. You can experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding and still have an ongoing pregnancy.
Pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, breast tenderness, or fatigue may also continue as hCG levels gradually change. Other signs the abortion pill may not have worked include no bleeding 24 hours after taking misoprostol and the absence of a period for two months after the abortion.
It is also important to know that in some cases, hCG levels can remain elevated after an abortion for a few weeks, leading to a false positive result if you take a pregnancy test.
Know When to Seek Emergency Care
Not every symptom after taking the abortion pill means something is seriously wrong, but certain symptoms should not be ignored.
Seek emergency medical care if you experience:
- Very heavy vaginal bleeding
- Severe or worsening abdominal or pelvic pain
- Fainting or severe dizziness
- Severe weakness or feeling very unwell
- Persistent fever or chills
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Severe or one-sided abdominal or pelvic pain, dizziness, fainting, or unusual weakness can also be warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus and can cause life-threatening internal bleeding if the pregnancy continues to grow and ruptures the fallopian tube.
If you did not have an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill, an ectopic pregnancy could still be a risk, as abortion drugs cannot treat an ectopic pregnancy.
If you are having any of these symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.
Consider Your Next Steps
If the pregnancy is continuing, you can then take time to consider what comes next. Parenting and adoption are both options you can explore, and practical support may be available if you choose to continue the pregnancy.
At Arise Center for Women, you can ask questions about your options and learn about the support and resources available to you. We offer material assistance (diapers, wipes, baby clothes), community referrals and local resources, and one-on-one mentoring and emotional support.
You Are Not Alone
Finding out that the abortion pill did not end your pregnancy can bring up emotions you were not prepared for. You may feel confused, relieved, frightened, overwhelmed, or simply unsure of what to do next.
You do not have to sort through those questions by yourself. Arise Center for Women offers a confidential place to get more information about your pregnancy through our no-cost pregnancy services and a space to talk through your feelings about this unexpected pregnancy.
Reach out to us to make your appointment.
