If it has been LESS than 5 weeks since you took the pills, then a positive pregnancy test does NOT necessarily mean that you are still pregnant.
Pregnancy tests can stay positive for several weeks after a successful abortion. It takes time for the pregnancy hormones to disappear. We recommend you use a test with lines so that you can see if the line is fading. We do not recommend Clear Blue brand tests because they are too sensitive and can give false positive results.
If you had bleeding (like or more than a menstruation) after using the pills and your pregnancy symptoms are going away, then the abortion was likely successful.
The only way to know for sure if the pills worked is by ultrasound or a blood test. The blood test is for Beta-HCG, with two samples taken 48 hours apart to see if the level of pregnancy hormone is going down appropriately. It is also possible to get quantitative hCG tests done 48 hours apart without a doctor’s order at Labcorp or Quest Labs.
If you had very little bleeding or still feel pregnant, it’s possible that the pills did not work, or you have an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Pain that continues and gets worse over time and is not decreased with the medications listed could mean you have an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). The pills do not work on ectopic pregnancies. Signs of an ectopic pregnancy include little or no bleeding after the pills and having strong pain in one side of your belly that can radiate to your shoulder. An ectopic pregnancy can burst (rupture), which is very dangerous. You should go to the ER right away if you think you have one.
Both situations can be diagnosed with ultrasound. For clinics in your area to get an ultrasound or blood tests before or after an abortion, go to Ineedana or Reproclinics or Still Open Clinics.
If you go to a clinic or hospital that might not be supportive, you can say you had bleeding after a positive pregnancy test, and you are not sure if you had a miscarriage. There is no way for them to know you took pills to end your pregnancy.
If you are sure you are still pregnant and would like to try using the pills again, please let us know as soon as possible.