While choosing to undergo an abortion is a personal decision, we can help you make this process easier. If you are someone who has been pregnant for up to 10 weeks and are planning to get a medical abortion, then knowing about the safety and legality surrounding it can help. In this article, we talk about what medical abortion is, how abortion pills work, how costly abortion pills are in London and what are the safe and legal ways to obtain these pills, so you can remain worry-free during this journey.
Abortion pills: Do they really work?
Before we talk about the availability of abortion pills it is important to understand how these pills work and if they are effective.
Abortion pills usually refer to two types of pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, both of which induce a miscarriage-like occurrence in the body. These pills are considered to be a safe way to terminate pregnancies of up to 10 weeks and are taken under the guidance of a trained medical professional. This whole process is known as a medical abortion.
The process of a medical abortion is quite simple from a technical standpoint. The first step is to take the mifepristone pill, which limits the progesterone (the hormone necessary to sustain a pregnancy) levels in the body. The blockage of the progesterone hormone leads to the breakdown of the uterine lining, which results in the detachment of the embryo from the uterus.
The next step in the process is to take the misoprostol pill 24-48 hours after the mifepristone. Misoprostol induces contractions in the uterus, after which the pregnancy tissues (including the foetus) are expelled from the body. As shared above, together these pills mimic a miscarriage-like phenomena, resulting in the safe and effective termination of the pregnancy.
What are the side effects from abortion pills?
When it comes to the side effects of abortion pills, one can expect nausea, dizziness, tiredness, and diarrhoea – all which are temporary in nature. In some cases, women have also reported to suffer from low-grade fever or chills along with some abdominal discomfort, but again, these are temporary. Additionally, cramping and bleeding are common occurrences in this process and the intensity may vary from person to person. Significant side effects are rare.
However, if you experience severe pain or very heavy bleeding, consult your doctor or emergency services for immediate medical attention. It is important to understand that abortion pills are only suitable for pregnancies up to 10 weeks and are not the same as contraception pills. Those undergoing a medical abortion should consult with a doctor so they can advise you better based on your medical history. For pregnancies more than 10 weeks medical abortion with pill is not suitable and a surgical termination will be required instead for your comfort and safety.
Safe places to obtain abortion pills in London
Where can you safely obtain abortion pills? Are these abortion pills safe? Is it even legal to terminate pregnancy using abortion pills? With the recent spotlight on pregnancy termination in the media, you may have questions surrounding abortion pills primarily due their varying legality across different nations. Thankfully, in London and the UK, an abortion can be carried out up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, according to the NHS.
When considering your options for obtaining abortion pills, it is crucial to prioritise safety. Multiple unlicensed retailers now offer these medications due to growing demand, but these can cause harm due to their unknown composition. It is safer to get in touch with a licensed medical service provider to obtain your abortion pill online or through an in-person specialist pregnancy termination clinic. These service providers can not only provide legitimate medication, but also assist you with right guidance and support from medical experts, depending on your specific case and medical history. Another safe way to obtain abortion pills is the NHS, more of which we talk about below.
How much do abortion pills cost in the UK?
Let’s now talk a bit about the costs. The cost of abortion pills can vary depending on where you get them. You can get abortion pills for free from the NHS, but patients may find themselves waiting weeks for an appointment, potentially compromising eligibility for a medical abortion. For a private licensed clinic based in London, a typical set of abortion pills (along with consultations from a medical expert and the necessary scans) can range between £495 to £600. Any additional add-ons (for example, scans or other investigations) will likely be at additional cost, but will depend on your service provider.
Opting for private clinics has multiple benefits, and topping that list is shorter wait times (some clinics also offer same-day consultations), and the ability to choose any clinic based on your language, geographical and personal preferences.
Giving you peace of mind
Unwanted pregnancy can take a toll on both your mental and physical health. While choosing to undergo an abortion is a personal choice, an abortion still comes with its own set of challenges. Legality, safety and ease of access top this list. Thankfully, medical abortion has become a safe, effective and convenient way to terminate pregnancy. While there exist minor side effects, as outlined above, most women who undergo medical abortion can do so without an issue.
With recent law changes around the time of Covid-19, women no longer have to attend a clinic in-person in order to get an abortion. It is now possible to do so online through established clinics and get the pills sent directly to your door. Many women prefer this option as it allows them to undergo the process in the comfort of their own home discreetly without having to travel miles to a clinic.
Doing your thorough research and choosing the right clinic suited to your needs is of utmost importance.