Understanding how long an abortion with pills takes means knowing what to expect at three stages: when bleeding and cramping begin, when the pregnancy passes, and how long symptoms may continue afterward.
An abortion with pills usually takes several hours after using misoprostol. After taking misoprostol, cramping and bleeding may start within 30 minutes or take up to 24 hours. In this blog, we’ll explore more about the abortion with pills process.
When Do Bleeding and Cramping Start After Misoprostol?
Let’s start with the first signs that an abortion is underway: bleeding and cramping often start within a few hours, but timing can vary. Though uncomfortable, cramping and bleeding are positive signs that the abortion is proceeding as expected. They signify that the misoprostol has begun acting on the uterus and that the pregnancy is being expelled from the body.
Both bleeding and cramping are usually most intense 4-8 hours after using misoprostol. Remember that you can reduce discomfort during an abortion by planning a self-care regimen ahead of time. You can learn more about managing the effects of an abortion with pills and post-abortion care to help you feel better and recover more quickly.
How Long Does It Take for the Pregnancy to Pass?
Once the pregnancy has exited the body, the abortion is complete and you are no longer pregnant. This usually occurs within 24 hours of using the abortion medication.
Pregnancy tissue from an abortion within the first 10 weeks may look like small, dark colored grapes. You may also see a tiny sac surrounded by a white fluffy layer. The size of the tissue will depend on the length of the pregnancy. Earlier pregnancy tissue may be smaller than your fingernail, while later pregnancies can be the size of your thumb.
However, if you choose to closely monitor your blood discharge during an abortion with pills, you may actually be able to notice when pregnancy tissue passes from your body. Keep in mind, though, that this will depend on how far along the pregnancy is; later pregnancies may be more notable as they pass, while earlier pregnancies may be harder to identify.
Abortion With Pills Timeline: What Usually Happens
Mifepristone and Misoprostol
- Step 1: Take the mifepristone pill with water. Wait 24 to 48 hours.
- Step 2: Take 800 mg of ibuprofen. Wait 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Place 4 misoprostol pills under your tongue and hold them there for 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Take a second dose of misoprostol if needed. Wait for four hours after your first dose of misoprostol.
Misoprostol Only
- Step 1: Take 800 mg of ibuprofen around 30 minutes before using the misoprostol pills.
- Step 2: Place 4 misoprostol pills under your tongue for 30 minutes. Wait 3 hours.
- Step 3: Place another 4 misoprostol pills under your tongue for 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Place another 4 misoprostol pills under your tongue for 30 minutes. Wait 3 hours.
The timeline below shows what to expect as the process unfolds.
Timeframe | What may happen |
After mifepristone | Some people feel little or no symptoms. Others may have light bleeding or nausea. |
30 minutes to 24 hours after misoprostol | Bleeding and cramping may begin. |
First several hours after bleeding starts | Cramping and bleeding may become stronger, and clots or tissue may pass. |
Within 24 hours | For many people, the main abortion process has happened. |
Days to weeks after | Bleeding or spotting may continue and should gradually get lighter. |
Around 4 weeks after | A pregnancy test may be more reliable, but seek support if it is positive or symptoms continue. |
What Happens After the Main Abortion Process?
Here’s where people can get confused: if the pregnancy has been terminated, why don’t things go back to normal right away? Why might you continue to experience the effects of abortion even after the abortion is technically complete?
In truth, the effects of an abortion with pills may continue for several weeks. This doesn’t mean that you are still pregnant, but rather that your body needs time to adjust back to baseline.
Bleeding is perhaps the most obvious of the continued effects of abortion. Though the heaviest bleeding will usually peak 4-6 hours after using misoprostol, it is common for people to continue bleeding for another 3-4 weeks after the abortion. This bleeding should gradually lighten over time by itself.
Sometimes continued bleeding can make people feel uncomfortable and they wonder what they can do to stop it. Remember that this bleeding is normal; it is your body’s natural process of emptying the uterus after a pregnancy termination. So long as the bleeding is never excessive and there is no sign of infection, there is nothing you need to do other than allow it to gradually stop on its own.
In addition to continued bleeding, one should notice a change in their pregnancy symptoms after using the abortion pills. Nausea and fatigue will fade, breast swelling will reduce, and the body will return to its regular not-pregnant state. The timeline for this change varies, but it typically occurs in the first few days after using the abortion pills.
When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test After Abortion Pills?
And finally: the pregnancy test. You can take a pregnancy test after an abortion with pills to confirm that you are no longer pregnant. However, the timing of this test is very important and will determine its accuracy.
Pregnancy tests work by detecting a pregnancy hormone in urine. When there is a certain amount of hormone in the urine, the pregnancy test will read positive. If the test is taken too soon after an abortion, the pregnancy hormone is likely to still be present which may cause a false positive test result. Therefore, in order for a pregnancy test to produce a reliable result, you should wait at least four weeks after an abortion to test.
When to Seek Medical Help During or After Abortion Pills
There are some warning signs that you should keep in mind after an abortion with pills:
- Very heavy bleeding,
- No bleeding or only spotting 24 hours after misoprostol,
- Fever or flu-like symptoms more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol,
- Severe or worsening pain,
- Foul-smelling discharge,
- Feeling very weak or fainting
If you experience any of the symptoms it’s important to contact your local healthcare center for support. If you are unsure whether the abortion worked or you are worried about your symptoms, contact the safe2choose counselors for confidential support.
