Hey there, I know you are either freaked the fuck out or weirdly calm, but either way that’s okay! You’re going through a difficult time with very little support from the places you’re from. Just breathe, relax, and confide in someone you trust. Have someone help you schedule appointments and be your emotional punching bag for the next week.

 

Is it going to hurt? What should I expect? Yes. I’m not going to pretend it isn’t, especially when abortion is often glamorized on social media. This is still a medical procedure, although pain levels vary person to person. Instead of your body evacuating your uterine lining, it is evacuating a fetus. Think of it as being the worst period you’ll ever experience. Depending on your body, there may be a lot of blood, so make sure to grab a pack of nighttime pads. The worst of it will be the first 3 days (including the days you take the pills), after that it’ll be more like a manageable period.

 

What do I need? Microwavable meals, ginger ale, saltines, soups, ramen, big pads or diapers, Advil or Tylenol (doctors may also prescribe pain medicine), and LOTS of water. Remember, you’re still pregnant, and even after the abortion your hormones are not going to be normal for awhile. Having bland food options and ginger ale will be a life saver if you have nausea. You are also not going to want to cook, so having microwavable meals will make your life so much easier for the next 3 days. 

 

When should I be concerned? If it has been 24 hours since taking the pill and you have not bled, be sure to call your provider. You may have to do another dose.

If you are filling up an entire pad every hour for more than 3 hours, call your provider.

 

How long should I stay in the state I travelled to for an abortion? It is recommended at least 3 days. The abortion is often split into 2 pills and you have to wait 24-48hrs after the first pill to take the second pill. This is to ensure that everything goes smoothly, and in the off chance something does go wrong, you will still have access to life-saving care relating to your abortion.

 

What do I do after? Make sure to book a follow up appointment at a Planned Parenthood or your gynecologist. Depending on your state laws, you may have to travel back out of state for this. Please research using the resources or hotlines above, as this may vary state to state.. This is to ensure everything was properly evacuated out of your body. If you come down with a fever, fatigue, vomiting, or are generally feeling sick, you will need to see a doctor. There is a chance that it did not fully evacuate, and that can be dangerous. Ask your doctor when to restart taking your birth control (you should stop taking them as soon as you find out you’re pregnant unless you need them for other medical reasons).