If you’re staring at a positive pregnancy test and your stomach drops, it’s normal for you to think:
“I just need this to go away.”
When you’re overwhelmed, scared, or facing pressure from a partner or others, the abortion pill can seem like the fastest path to relief. You might be Googling in the middle of the night, trying to figure out what it is, how it works, whether it’s safe, and if it’s really your only option.
You deserve more than quick answers and marketing language. You deserve clear, honest information about what the abortion pill does to your body, what’s already happening in your pregnancy, and what the risks are—especially if this pregnancy feels unwanted or impossible.
At Options for Women – River Falls, we believe life is a miracle by God and begins at conception. We also believe you deserve to be fully informed, cared for, and supported as you sort through your situation.
Let’s walk through the facts.
First: A Quick Look at What’s Happening in Your Pregnancy
Before talking about the abortion pill itself, it’s important to understand what’s happening inside your body.
When an egg is fertilized, it forms a single cell. This is the moment of conception and the beginning of a new human life.
At conception:
- A new life already has his or her own unique DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and chromosomes.
- This DNA is different from yours, even though it comes from both mother and father.
- According to Mayo Clinic, the chromosomes at conception determine:
- Whether the baby will be male or female
- Many of the baby’s physical traits, like eye color and hair color
That one cell quickly divides into many cells. This is where the phrase “cluster of cells” comes from—but those cells already belong to a specific, new human life.
Development happens quickly:
- At conception (week 0):
- A single cell is formed with its own DNA and chromosomes.
- The baby’s sex (male or female) and many physical traits are already determined in that moment.
- Around week 4:
- Bone tissue is starting to grow.
- The eyes, ears, brain, heart, and spinal cord are beginning to form, according to the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services.
- Many women get a positive pregnancy test around this time.
- Around week 5:
- The baby’s heartbeat can be detected on an ultrasound.
- The spinal cord is forming.
- The baby begins to look more recognizably human in shape.
- Around week 6:
- The face starts to take shape.
- Around week 7:
- The eyes begin to form, and the baby has tiny, webbed hands and feet.
So while people sometimes say “it’s just a cluster of cells,” that phrase doesn’t reflect how fast and organized early human development really is. The term can unintentionally undermine the reality of a growing human being.
The baby starts out as a singular cell at conception—with all the DNA and chromosomes that determine if the baby will be a boy or girl and what physical traits the baby has, according to Mayo Clinic. Very quickly, that one cell becomes a rapidly growing, organized new life.
What Is the Abortion Pill?
The “abortion pill” is not just one pill. It’s a combination of two medications, usually taken in sequence, used to end an early pregnancy.
Commonly, it involves:
- First medication
- Blocks the hormone progesterone, which is needed to maintain the pregnancy.
- Without this hormone, the lining of the uterus breaks down, and the baby can no longer remain attached.
- Second medication (taken later)
- Causes the uterus to contract and expel the contents of the uterus, including the developing baby.
This process is usually done at home, not in a clinic, which means:
- You may experience heavy bleeding and strong cramping at home.
- You may see more than you expected.
- You are responsible for monitoring your own symptoms and deciding when something is an emergency.
Understanding this isn’t about scaring you—it’s about being honest about what this process involves.
Possible Symptoms and Risks of the Abortion Pill
Every body is different, but some common symptoms of the abortion pill can include:
- Heavy bleeding (often more than a normal period)
- Strong cramping and pain
- Intrauterine cramping
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Fever or chills
- Headache, dizziness, or fatigue
Women typically experience heavy bleeding, and 90% experience adverse effects such as abdominal pain, intrauterine cramping, or nausea, to name a few. These effects can be intense and may last for several hours or more. You may also see recognizable tissue or parts of the developing baby, which can be emotionally difficult—especially if you weren’t prepared for that.
There are also serious risks, including:
- Incomplete abortion, where some tissue remains in the uterus and may require a surgical procedure to remove
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding that may need medical attention
- Infection
- Undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy, which can be life‑threatening if not treated (this is when the pregnancy implants outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube)
The abortion pill does not treat an ectopic pregnancy. That’s one reason it’s so important to know where your pregnancy is located and how far along you are before taking anything—usually through a limited obstetrical ultrasound.
Why Confirming Your Pregnancy Matters Before Taking the Pill
If you’re thinking about ordering or taking the abortion pill, it’s important to know:
- Are you actually pregnant?
- A late or missed period can have several causes.
- A lab‑quality pregnancy test can confirm if you are truly pregnant.
- How far along are you?
- The abortion pill is only approved up to a certain point in pregnancy.
- Taking it later than recommended can increase risks and complications.
- A limited obstetrical ultrasound is the most reliable way to estimate gestational age.
- Where is the pregnancy located?
- If the pregnancy is ectopic (outside the uterus), the abortion pill will not resolve it and this can become an emergency.
- A limited obstetrical ultrasound can help detect signs of an ectopic pregnancy.
Being able to see what’s going on through an ultrasound can help you move from pure panic to a more grounded understanding of your situation. It doesn’t force you into a decision; it simply shows you the reality inside your body so you can make a more informed choice.
If Your Pregnancy Is Unwanted or You Feel Pressured
If you’re considering the abortion pill, it might be because:
- You feel like you can’t handle a baby right now.
- You’re worried about school, work, housing, or money.
- A partner, parent, or friend is pushing you toward abortion.
- You feel ashamed or afraid of what people will think.
Those are heavy, painful pressures to carry.
It’s okay to admit you feel torn, scared, or even numb. It’s okay to say, “Part of me doesn’t want this pregnancy, but part of me isn’t sure about abortion either.” You’re not weak or broken for feeling that way—you’re human.
In moments like this, it helps to:
- Slow things down, even a little
- Get accurate medical information about your pregnancy
- Talk with someone who won’t pressure you in any direction
- Remember that your life and your baby’s life both matter
How Options for Women – River Falls Can Help
At Options for Women – River Falls, we do not provide the abortion pill or perform abortions—but we do provide:
- Free, lab‑quality pregnancy tests
- Limited obstetrical ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy and estimate gestational age
- Information about pregnancy and abortion, including the abortion pill
- A calm, home‑like environment where you can talk privately and openly
- Material assistance and support programs if carrying to term is something you want to explore
Our center has been described by clients as feeling “more like a home than a hospital.” Your visit is free and confidential. We will not judge you or pressure you. Our role is to care for you, help you understand what’s happening in your body, and walk with you as you consider your next step.
If you’re thinking about the abortion pill, you don’t have to figure everything out alone or in a rush.
📍 Options for Women – River Falls
🔗 Learn about the abortion pill: https://optionsforwomenrf.com/abortion-pill/
🔗 Learn about limited obstetrical ultrasounds: https://optionsforwomenrf.com/ultrasound-landing/
🔗 Learn about pregnancy tests: https://optionsforwomenrf.com/pregnancy-test/
🔗 Book a free appointment: https://optionsforwomenrf.com/appointment/
You are not alone, and you deserve clear information and real support as you navigate this.