Medication or Pill Abortion

The Abortion Pill (also called medication abortion, Mifeprex, Mifepristone, or RU-486) provides women with a medical alternative to surgical abortion.

• Mifepristone, in conjunction with misoprostol (also called Cytotec), was approved for use as an abortifacient by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 28, 2000.
• This antiprogesterone drug blocks receptors of progesterone, a key hormone in the establishment and maintenance of human pregnancy.
• Mifepristone induces abortion when administered in early pregnancy and followed by a dose of misoprostol, a prostaglandin.

The Abortion Pill procedure involves the oral ingestion of mifepristone after ultrasound verification of a pregnancy ten weeks gestation or less. 24 to 48 hours later, misoprostol is inserted into the cheeks, held in place for 30 minutes, and then swallowed with water. In most cases, a miscarriage occurs within 24 hours.

If bleeding does not occur after 24 hours, the misoprostol insertion is repeated or a surgical procedure can be performed if you prefer. Usually, bleeding is like a spontaneous miscarriage, and bleeding or spotting may occur for up to two weeks or longer. An ultrasound will be used to verify the completed abortion.

The abortion pill is limited to patients ten weeks pregnant or less, as verified by ultrasound. If the abortion does not occur with medication alone, a surgical abortion must be performed. This situation rarely occurs, but the patient must agree to undergo a surgical abortion if the abortion is not completed with the medication alone.

The primary advantage of the abortion pill lies in the ability to end the pregnancy in the privacy of the patient’s own home. Side effects of mifepristone and misoprostol can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heavy vaginal bleeding, headache, dizziness, backache, and fatigue. Occasionally, the cramping may become quite severe, particularly when the pregnancy tissue is being expelled.

Mifepristone is as safe as a surgical abortion for most women. The medication abortion is a completely non-invasive procedure and does not require sedation or a local anesthetic. However, as with surgical abortion, the risk of hemorrhage does exist. In rare cases, the incomplete passage of tissue requires a surgical procedure. If you develop heavy vaginal bleeding, soaking two pads in an hour, for more than an hour, please call us immediately.

Serious infection can occur in about 1 per 1,000 women and death from infection occurs in less than 1 per 100,000 women. If you develop a flu-like condition including sluggishness, weakness, or muscle aches with or without fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol (Cytotec), it is essential that you call us immediately.

Approximately 1.75 million women in the U.S. and millions more worldwide have chosen the Abortion Pill. It is effective approximately 93-97% of the time. This means, for every 100 women who use the abortion pill between 3 and 7 women may need follow-up medications or surgical procedures.

ONE FEE INCLUDES ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Abortion medications (Mifepristone/Misoprostol)
• Ultrasound
• Education
• Lab work
• Antibiotic
• 24-hour phone access to an on-call provider

For pricing information, contact the office by phone at 618-451-5722, email: info@hopeclinic.com, or text message (618) 248-8048.

Self-pay discounted fees by credit card/cash are based on the length of pregnancy.

• Illinois Medicaid ACTIVE: $0 co-pay
• Illinois Medicaid - Applied but not active: $0 co-pay

Other insurers: co-pay varies and will be based on in-network or out of network benefits, as applicable.

If you are an Illinois resident, please click here. If you are from another state and need financial assistance, please click here.

• $25 sexually transmitted infection testing; includes treatment if needed
• Birth control (fees vary by type): pills, injection, or condoms

If you have an Rh negative factor blood type, Rh immunoglobulin (i.e. Rhogam) will be recommended at the time of your appointment. Click HERE for more information.

Your fee is based on services rendered. Individual services include (but are not limited to): ultrasound $135, lab $50, counseling/education $40, outside (send out) labwork $60.

You do not need to decide whether you want the pill or surgical procedure until you speak with the counselor to determine which is best for you.

You must have an appointment to receive the abortion pill services. You should expect to be at the clinic for 4-6 hours.

Bringing a support person is optional.

• Photo IDs for yourself and anyone who comes with you
• Payment (cash, credit, debit, money order, or traveler's check)
• Bottled water (Please eat before you arrive. Food is not allowed in the building.)