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, risks involved, and if they’re legal. Keep reading to learn more!
How Does an At-Home Abortion Work?
An at-home abortion is exactly what it sounds like—an abortion done at home. Some women attempt at-home abortions by ingesting a mixture of herbs (more on that in a moment). Others take the abortion pill (also known as medication abortion).
Although it’s called the abortion pill (singular), there are actually two pills in the abortion pill regimen: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone is taken first, usually in a clinic. This pill cuts the supply of the hormone progesterone to the embryo, which is needed to continue the pregnancy. The embryo stops growing without a steady supply of progesterone.
Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later at home. It causes the uterus to cramp and expel the embryo, which ends the pregnancy.
Are At-Home Abortions Legal in Iowa?
Abortion is currently illegal in Iowa after cardiac activity can be detected by an ultrasound, typically around 6 weeks of pregnancy. Exceptions can be made in cases of rape, incest, or when abortion is considered necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman.
To qualify for an exception, people must report the rape resulting in pregnancy within 45 days to law enforcement or a public health agency or doctor, and within 140 for cases of incest.[1]
Additionally, the abortion pill can’t be taken beyond 10 weeks of pregnancy (or 70 days since the first day of your last menstrual period).[2]
Are At-Home Abortions Safe?
At-home abortions come with risk. After taking the abortion pill, you could experience severe side effects, such as:
- 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.[3]
- Anaphylactic Shock. Although rare, you could go into anaphylactic shock if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in misoprostol.[4]
- 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.[5]
- 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]
Herbal abortions are also incredibly dangerous. You may have seen videos on social media talking about how easy and convenient they are. However, there isn’t enough scientific evidence available to suggest that they actually work. Additionally, medical professionals have found that they can cause organ system failure and even death.[7]
Abortion Information in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
We get it—an unplanned pregnancy can leave you feeling desperate. At Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center, we understand this feeling. It’s our mission to help you protect your health and make a safe, informed decision. We provide abortion information, free pregnancy services, and a nonjudgmental space to explore your options and process your emotions.
Give us a call at (319) 220-3077 or schedule your appointment online today. All services are confidential and free of charge!
Please be aware that Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Chapter 146C. Abortion — Detectable Fetal Heartbeat. The Iowa Legislature. (2024, November 19). https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/146C.pdf
- FDA. (2023, September 1). 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
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016, May 16). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
- 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
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- See source #5.
- Ciganda, C., & Laborde, A. (2003). Herbal infusions used for induced abortion. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12807304/