If the placenta or fetus do not get out, it is best to keep taking 2 misoprostol every 3 hours until the pregnancy passes.
If this does not solve the problem or you have the following symptoms, please go to the hospital right away:
- Heavy bleeding that fills 2 pads per hour for more than 2 hours in a row and that is so heavy you feel dizzy or light-headed. Before leaving for the hospital, take 2 misoprostol pills under your tongue to help stop the bleeding.
- Fever more than 101.4° F for more than 24 hours or fever more than 102° F at any time in case you have an infection that needs treatment with antibiotics.
- Severe pain that does not go away with pain medication.
What to say at the hospital: You do NOT have to say that you took abortion pills. They cannot be detected. You can just say you are pregnant and bleeding.
Please be aware that:
- If you have had 2 or more C-sections and you are more than 12 weeks pregnant, there is a small increased risk (less than 0.3%) of uterine rupture. This is a rare but dangerous complication. If you have severe ongoing pain during or after the abortion, go to the hospital immediately.
- If you have a Rh-negative blood type and are having an abortion after 12 weeks, you should receive a shot called Rhogam. This will prevent problems in future pregnancies. See here for more information
For urgent medical questions, you can text or call the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline at 1-833-246-2632 to speak with a medical volunteer. They are available from 8AM to 1AM EST and will respond within an hour.