Is At-Home Abortion Safe?

Jan 2, 2025

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you’ve likely heard the term “at-home abortion”. You may be wondering how it works, what your options are, and if it’s the right choice for you. 

It’s crucial to get all the facts, so you can make a fully informed decision. In this blog, we’ll explore at-home abortions—including how they work and if they’re safe, legal, and right for you. Keep reading to learn more! 

What is At-Home Abortion?

An at-home abortion (also known as medication abortion or the abortion pill) involves taking two medications—mifepristone and misoprostol—to end a pregnancy. 

This method is approved by the FDA for pregnancies up to 10 weeks (70 days from the first day of your last menstrual period). Here’s how it works:

  1. Mifepristone: Taken first, usually at a clinic or via telehealth with a licensed provider, mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone necessary for pregnancy to continue. This stops the embryo or fetus from developing.
  2. Misoprostol: Taken 24–48 hours later at home, misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue. This process is similar to a miscarriage and typically involves cramping and bleeding.

    Are At-Home Abortions Legal in Texas?

    Per the FDA, you can’t take the abortion pill beyond 10 weeks of pregnancy (or 70 days since the first day of your last menstrual period).[1] 

    Additionally, abortion is currently banned in Texas, except to preserve the life of the pregnant woman. This will not affect care for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. A woman who seeks or obtains an abortion will not be held criminally or civilly liable under Texas law.[2][3]

    Before an at-home abortion, it is important that you receive an ultrasound to determine how far along you are. If your ultrasound determines that you’re too far along for the abortion pill, we will help you explore all of your pregnancy options, so you can make the best choice for your health and future!

    Is At-Home Abortion Safe?

    At-home abortions are not without risk. After taking the abortion pill, you could experience side effects, such as: 

    • Cramping and abdominal pain.
    • Moderate to heavy bleeding, which may last several hours or days.
    • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or mild fever, typically resolving within 24 hours.

    Serious complications can also occur, including:

    • Hemorrhaging. It’s normal to bleed for a while after taking the abortion pill. However, if you soak through two full-size sanitary pads per hour, for two or more hours, you could be hemorrhaging.[4]
    • Anaphylactic Shock. You could go into anaphylactic shock if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in misoprostol.[5]
    • Incomplete abortion. Incomplete abortions occur when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after misoprostol has been taken. You may need emergency surgery to remove the remaining tissue and prevent an infection.[6] 
    • Infection. If you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever for more than 24 hours after taking the second medication, an infection may have developed. You may need antibiotics or even surgery to treat your condition.[6]

    Are Herbal Abortions Safe?

    You may have come across social media posts suggesting herbal remedies for inducing abortion. However, herbal abortions are not safe or reliable. There is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of herbs ending a pregnancy. 

    In fact, some studies have linked herbal abortion attempts to severe health risks, including organ failure and death.[7] Medical professionals strongly advise against using herbal remedies for abortion due to their unpredictability and potential toxicity.

    Considering At-Home Abortion? Get the Facts at Hope Pregnancy Center.

    We get it—an unplanned pregnancy can leave you feeling desperate. Many of us at Hope Pregnancy Center have been there ourselves. It’s our mission to help you protect your health and make a safe, informed decision! We provide abortion education, free pregnancy services, and a nonjudgmental space to explore your options and process your emotions.

    Make an Appointment

    Please be aware that Hope Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.

    Sources

      1. FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex  
      2. Texas Constitution and Statutes. (2022, August 25). Health and Safety Code Chapter 170A. Performance of Abortion.  https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.170A.htm      
      3. Texas Constitution and Statutes. (2021, September 1). Health and Safety Code Chapter 171. Abortion. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/pdf/HS.171.pdf    
      4. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016, May 16). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html 
      5. Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
      6. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
      7. Ciganda, C., & Laborde, A. (2003). Herbal infusions used for induced abortion. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12807304/