First Trimester Abortion Pill

If you are 12 weeks or less in pregnancy, you may be eligible for a medication abortion, also known as the “abortion pill.”

You can get a medication abortion by making an in-person appointment at our clinic in Pittsburgh. You may also be eligible to receive your medications through the mail.

First Trimester Abortion Services

If you are 12 weeks or less in pregnancy, you may be eligible for a medication abortion, also known as the “abortion pill.”

You can get a medication abortion by making an in-person appointment at our clinic in Pittsburgh. You may also be eligible to receive your medications through the mail.

First Trimester Abortion Services

If you are 12 weeks or less in pregnancy, you may be eligible for a medication abortion, also known as the “abortion pill.”

You can get a medication abortion by making an in-person appointment at our clinic in Pittsburgh. You may also be eligible to receive your medications through the mail.

12 weeks or less in Pregnancy

In-Person Medication Abortion (aka “Abortion Pill”)

If you are 12 weeks or less in pregnancy, you may be eligible for a medication abortion at our Pittsburgh clinic. This calculator can help you know how many weeks pregnant you are.

How Medication Abortion Works

How In-Person Medication Abortion Works

Medication abortion uses a combination of two medications called mifepristone and misoprostol.

Before your visit, you must complete a state-mandated counseling call with one of our physicians.

On this call, the physician will explain the abortion process, risks and benefits, as well as other information mandated by law. It must be completed at least 24 hours before your appointment at our clinic.

Your visit with begin with a medical evaluation that includes an ultrasound and lab testing.

We will do an ultrasound to confirm how far along you are in the pregnancy. We will do a finger prick and take a drop of blood–we use this to test your Rh factor and may check your red blood cell count.

Our physician will give you the first pill, mifepristone, at the clinic.

You will swallow the mifepristone pill. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone that a pregnancy needs to grow normally. People normally don’t have any symptoms after taking this pill.

You will use the second medication, misoprostol, at home 6-48 hours later.

You can take the misoprostol either (1) by placing the pills in the vagina or (2) placing them between your cheek and gums to dissolve. If you take the pills vaginally, you have to wait 6-48 hours after taking mifepristone. If you take them in your cheek, you have to wait 24-48 hours. If you are more than 9 weeks in pregnancy, you will take a second dose of misoprostol 4 hours after taking the first done. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus. It often feels like a very heavy, crampy period. You may also get side effects like fever, chills, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

You will need to follow up in approximately 2 weeks.

This can be done with a phone call or online follow up combined with a home pregnancy test; an ultrasound in the office; or blood work.

Reasons some people choose medication abortion.

95% - 99% effective
No shots, anesthesia, or instruments are used, unless there is a complication
Some people prefer the privacy of having an abortion at home
Some people may feel like the process is a more natural way to end a pregnancy
Some people may want to avoid a surgical abortion if possible

Reasons medication abortion might not be right for someone.

Nausea, vomiting, body aches and diarrhea are side effects
Cramping can be severe and may last longer than with a surgical abortion
Bleeding can be very heavy and may last longer than with a surgical abortion
It has a higher chance of complications than a surgical abortion (2-5% for medication abortion vs 1% for surgical abortion)
Requires a bigger time commitment than first-trimester surgical abortions (up to 48 hours)
It is possible that you may see the pregnancy tissue depending on how far you are in the pregnancy
You are more than 12 weeks in pregnancy

10 weeks or less in Pregnancy

Medication Abortion by Mail (Telemedicine)

If you are 10 weeks or less in pregnancy, you may be eligible for a medication abortion by mail. This calculator can help you know how many weeks pregnant you are. You do not have to come to our Pittsburgh clinic for a medication abortion by mail, but you will have to take additional steps on your own. Based on medical history, not everyone is eligible for a medication abortion by mail.

How Medication Abortion by Mail (Telemedicine) Works

Medication abortion uses a combination of two medications called mifepristone and misoprostol.

We will determine if you are eligible for medication abortion by mail

In order to qualify for medication abortion by mail, you must:

Have a mailing address in the state of Pennsylvania
Be at least 18 years old
Have regular, monthly periods
Know the date of your last menstrual period
Meet other medical eligibility criteria, which our staff will screen you for
Have a credit or debit card in your name for payment

You must complete a state-mandated counseling call with one of our physicians.

On this call, the physician will explain the abortion process, risks and benefits, as well as other information mandated by law. It must be completed at least 24 hours before your telemedicine appointment.

You will complete a call with our staff to complete paperwork and payment.

Our staff will complete several steps with you:

They will send you instructions via email
They will send you a prescription for blood work, if applicable
They will send you a link to review and complete consent forms
They will collect payment for the medication abortion.

You will have blood work done, if required.

We are required to test all abortion patients for their Rh factor. If you have had test done previously and can provide us a copy of the results, you do not have to have labs done. If you do not have documentation of your Rh type, you must have blood drawn at Quest Diagnostics (at no additional cost to you).

After completing the steps above, you will meet with a physician through telemedicine on your computer or smartphone.

The telemedicine visit with the doctor takes 10-15 minutes.

You will receive a package in 2 business days via FedEx.

The package will contain mifepristone, misoprostol, and urine pregnancy tests.

You will swallow mifepristone first then dissolve misoprostol 6-48 hours later.

You will swallow the mifepristone pill. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone that a pregnancy needs to grow normally. People normally don’t have any symptoms after taking this pill.

You will then take misoprostol. You can take the misoprostol either (1) by placing the pills in the vagina or (2) placing them between your cheek and gums to dissolve. If you take the pills vaginally, you have to wait 6-48 hours after taking mifepristone. If you take them in your cheek, you have to wait 24-48 hours. If you are more than 9 weeks in pregnancy, you will take a second dose of misoprostol 4 hours after taking the first done. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus. It often feels like a very heavy, crampy period. You may also get side effects like fever, chills, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Follow up can be completed remotely unless problems come up.

We will send you a link for online follow up 1 week and 4 weeks after your medication abortion and you will take a follow-up home pregnancy test 4 weeks after your medication abortion. If problems come up, we can see you in clinic or discuss a plan over the phone.