If you have taken the abortion pill and are still experiencing pregnancy symptoms, you may be wondering whether the abortion was completed or whether the pregnancy is continuing.

The only way to know what is happening is to have your health evaluated. Pregnancy symptoms can sometimes continue after an abortion because hCG, the hormone associated with pregnancy, takes time to leave the body. However, an ongoing pregnancy or incomplete abortion can also occur and may require medical attention.

Knowing what to watch for and where to seek follow-up care can help you take the appropriate next step. Hope Women’s Center is here to help you; we offer free post-abortion exams at our center to check your health as well as the emotional side effects you may be experiencing. 

Schedule a confidential appointment at the center today.

Understand What May Be Happening

The abortion pill, also called a medical abortion, uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.

Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone that supports pregnancy. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, leading to cramping and bleeding as the pregnancy is expelled.

If the abortion does not completely end the pregnancy, an ongoing pregnancy is possible. An incomplete abortion can also occur if pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus.

However, symptoms alone cannot tell you which situation you are experiencing. A pregnancy test can also remain positive for weeks after an abortion. That is why follow-up evaluation matters.

Pay Attention to Warning Signs

Some symptoms following the abortion pill require prompt medical attention. Seek emergency medical care if you experience:

• Very heavy bleeding
• Severe or worsening abdominal or pelvic pain
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Weakness or feeling very unwell
• Fever or chills that persist

Severe or one-sided abdominal or pelvic pain, dizziness, fainting, or unusual weakness may indicate an ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus and can cause life-threatening internal bleeding if the pregnancy ruptures.

If you have severe symptoms or think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, seek emergency medical care right away rather than waiting for a pregnancy center appointment.

Get a Post-Abortion Exam

If you are not experiencing emergency symptoms but are concerned that the abortion did not work as expected, a follow-up exam can help you understand what is happening.

Hope Women’s Center offers free and confidential post-abortion exams. Depending on your circumstances, an exam may include a general health assessment, physical exam, laboratory testing, and a sonographic exam.

An ultrasound can help determine whether the pregnancy is continuing or whether pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus. Lab testing and a physical examination may also provide information about your health and recovery.

What If the Pregnancy Is Still Continuing?

If an evaluation confirms that the pregnancy is still developing, you may have questions about what happens next.

You can take time to consider your circumstances and the choices available to you. Continuing the pregnancy can mean parenting or making an adoption plan, and you may want to learn more about the practical support available for either path. 

We offer both parenting classes and material support at our center, as well as counseling to support you throughout this pregnancy.

Get Support at Hope Women’s Center

An abortion that does not go as expected can leave you with physical questions and uncertainty about what comes next. 

At Hope Women’s Center, we are here to provide a safe place to express your concerns, seek support, and gain the clarity you need. Whether you need our free pregnancy services or simply someone to talk to, our door is open.

Get in touch to make an appointment. 

Hope Women’s Center does not perform or refer for abortions.