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The 3 C’s of Abortion: Cytotec, Complications, and Pregnancy Confirmation

  • Writer: Palmetto Women's Center .
    Palmetto Women's Center .
  • Dec 17
  • 2 min read

If you or someone you care about is facing an unexpected pregnancy, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. With so much information (and misinformation) out there, it can be hard to know where to start. We’re here to help you cut through the confusion and get the facts. 


Contact us for a free consultation, free testing, and information on additional services. 

A woman in a pink top sits on the floor, resting her chin on her hands.


#1 Cytotec (Misoprostol)

Cytotec, or Misoprostol, is commonly used alongside Mifepristone in medical abortions. However, some people attempt to use Cytotec alone, which comes with significant risks. While Cytotec can induce uterine contractions, using it without medical supervision can lead to dangerous outcomes.


Key Risk Factors

  • Incomplete Abortions: Cytotec alone may not effectively end the pregnancy, leading to an incomplete abortion.

  • Excessive Bleeding: Uncontrolled bleeding is a severe risk.

  • Infection: Without follow-up care, infections can develop, putting your health at risk.

  • Uterine Rupture: Increased risk for these with previous C-sections


These complications often require emergency medical care, so it’s essential to know the risks before deciding your pregnancy outcome.


#2 Complications and Potential Risks

While there are many online abortion pill providers, purchasing abortion pills online without medical oversight can be dangerous. While it might seem like a quick fix, it’s important to know what you’re risking. 


Key Risk Factors

  • Undiagnosed Ectopic Pregnancy: Without an ultrasound, you may not realize that your pregnancy is ectopic (where the embryo implants outside the uterus), which is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

  • Unknown Gestational Age: You may not know how far along you are, which is crucial since abortion pills are only FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks.

  • Unknown Medications: The FDA warns against ordering abortion pills online because drugs have been tampered with or have included a mix of other foreign substances. Hospitalization rates have increased for at-home abortions via self-managed drugs.


Self-managed abortions can leave you vulnerable to serious health risks without professional guidance.


#3 Confirmation via Ultrasound

Before making a final decision, getting an ultrasound is one of the most critical steps you can take. It provides the information you need to know regarding your pregnancy.


  • Ectopic Pregnancy Detection: The pregnancy is developing outside the uterus and requires urgent medical care.

  • Gestational Ag: Knowing how far along you are is crucial because abortion pills are efficacious and FDA-approved only up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.


By confirming your pregnancy with an ultrasound, you’re ensuring that your decisions are based on accurate medical information, protecting your health and safety.


You Deserve the Right Information

Understanding Cytotec, The Abortion Pill (Plan C), and the importance of confirming your pregnancy with an ultrasound will help you make informed and safe decisions regarding your pregnancy. Knowledge is power, and you deserve to have the facts that are essential to your well-being.

You don’t have to navigate this alone! Schedule a no-cost ultrasound today to get the facts, support, and peace of mind you deserve. Your health and well-being are our top priorities.


Sources:

Raymond, E. G., Harrison, M. S., & Weaver, M. A. (2018). Efficacy of Misoprostol alone for First-Trimester Medical Abortion. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 133(1), 137–147. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000003017


Abortion. (2024, June 13). American Pregnancy Association. https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/abortion/

 
 
 

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Palmetto Women's Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the state of South Carolina. While we do not provide or refer for abortion services, we can answer your questions about side effects, what to expect, and more. We do not profit from any of your sexual health or pregnancy decisions. Contact us to learn more. The information on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be substituted for medical or legal advice.​ We are committed to protecting your health information. Please be aware that communicating via unencrypted text messaging or messaging services has some level of risk of being read by a 3rd party. 

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