California Abortion Pill Information
Abortion Pill
The abortion pill is a medical abortion. This type of abortion uses two drugs. The first medication (Mifepristone ) blocks the progesterone hormone which is needed for pregnancy to continue. When used together with the second medication (Misoprostol), it will end an early pregnancy (70 days or less since the first day of the last menstrual period or 10 wks LMP) and is considered unsafe beyond that time.
The pill, mifepristone, causes an abortion by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for pregnancy to continue. The abortion pill is administered in three doses, along with another drug, misoprostol, and typically requires three clinic visits.
On the first visit, the woman takes three mifepristone abortion pills, which results in the death of the fetus.
On Day 3, she takes the second abortion pill, misoprostol, which will cause cramping to expel the fetus.
A follow-up visit is required two weeks after taking the abortion pill to ensure that the pregnancy has terminated. If an ultrasound scan shows that the fetus has not been expelled, a surgical abortion will be required, typically at an additional cost.
Other names for the abortion pill (Ru486):
Mifepristone is the generic name for RU-486. In the U.S., RU486 is sold under the brand names Mifeprex® and Early Option®.
The abortion pill involves two drugs:
When taken alone, RU486 results in a complete abortion only about 60% of the time. A second drug, a prostaglandin, is given 48 hours later to increase the abortion pill’s effectiveness. The prostaglandin causes uterine contractions to help expel the fetus. Misoprostol (brand name Cytotec) is the prostaglandin used with RU-486 in the U.S.
In California the Abortion Pill is now available by mail. Before taking the Abortion Pill or any other medication, get information from a trusted source so that you understand how it works and the possible side effects.
Who Should not take the abortion pill (ru486):
The FDA advises that the Medication abortion pill (RU486) should NOT be taken if any one of the following circumstances apply:
- It has been more than 49 days since your last menstrual period began.
- You have an IUD, which must be removed before taking the pill.
- Your healthcare provider has told you that you have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus). Note: About 2% of pregnancies are ectopic.
- You have problems with your adrenal glands (chronic adrenal failure).
- You take a medicine to thin your blood.
- You have a bleeding problem.
- You take certain steroid medications.
- You cannot return for the necessary follow-up visits (2 days and 14 days after taking RU-486).
- You cannot easily access emergency medical help, including blood transfusions and emergency resuscitation, in the 2 weeks after taking the medication abortion pill.
- You are allergic to mifepristone [RU-486], misoprostol, or medicines that contain misoprostol such as Cytotec or Arthrotec.
Adverse events and side effects of the abortion pill:
In U.S. trials of RU486/misoprostol, at least 99% of patients experienced at least one of the following medication abortion pill side effects:
- Abdominal pain (cramping) (97%)
- Nausea (67%)
- Headache (32%)
- Vomiting (34%)
- Diarrhea (23%)
- Dizziness (12%)
- Fatigue (9%)
- Back pain (9%)
- Uterine hemorrhage (7%)
- Fever (4%)
- Viral infections (4%)
- Vaginitis (4%)
- Rigors (chills/shaking)(3%)
More than one adverse event was reported for most patients. Approximately 23% of the adverse events were judged to be “severe.”
The FDA is aware of women in the United States who died from sepsis (severe illness caused by infection of the bloodstream) after medical abortion with Mifeprex and misoprostol.
Calculating the Length of Pregnancy:
Doctors calculate the length of pregnancy by counting from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP), approximately two weeks prior to conception (fertilization). So “up to 49 days LMP” means up to 5 weeks after conception.
Understanding the details and implications of choosing the medication abortion pill is crucial for anyone considering this option. It’s important to be fully aware of the time constraints, procedure, potential side effects, and risks involved with this form of abortion. The use of RU486, coupled with misoprostol, is a significant medical decision that should be made with comprehensive knowledge and under professional medical guidance.
For those considering this option, it’s vital to consult with healthcare professionals to ensure safety and to discuss any concerns or questions you might have. It’s equally important to understand the legal and health criteria that determine eligibility for taking the medication abortion pill. Remember, this decision is not just about the immediate termination of pregnancy but also involves considering your long-term health and well-being.
If you or someone you know is facing an unplanned pregnancy and contemplating a medication abortion, consider reaching out to your local California pregnancy center for detailed information and support. Making an informed decision is essential, and it’s important to have access to all the facts and support systems available. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and there are resources and people ready to help you through this process.
Abortion Pill Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How Much Does the Abortion Pill Cost?
Answer:
The typical cost of the abortion pill ranges from $350 to $700, and it may be even higher depending on the provider. For the information you need, determine how far along you are in your pregnancy with our complimentary ultrasound services.
Question: How Can I Get the Abortion Pill?
Answer: You can get an abortion pill either through an abortion provider’s clinic or by an online mail source. For mail order, in most cases, a telehealth appointment is required and the medication for the abortion is sent directly to you without an in-person physical examination. A physical examination is important because it dates the pregnancy, rules out ectopic pregnancy, and determines viability (if you are at risk for miscarriage).
Question: What are “Missed Period Pills?
Answer: sed period pill is another name for the abortion pill. Some people may think it might help them psychologically if they’re unsure about abortion. Regardless of its name, you should know that it is an abortion.
California Pregnancy Centers
California pregnancy centers are located in all major cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, and even many smaller cities.
Most California pregnancy centers listed offer free and confidential services including medical grade pregnancy tests and ultrasound exams.
903 E Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801
626-309-0788
Tree of Life Pregnancy Support Ctr
7730 Morro Rd Ste 106
Atascadero, CA 93422
805-461-3405
Bakersfield Pregnancy Center
1801 21st Street Ste. 1
Bakersfield, CA 93302
661-326-1915
Barstow Pregnancy Center
521 E. Williams Street
Barstow, CA 92312
760-256-8323
Women's Resource Clinic
115 W. 2nd Ave
Chino, CA 95926
530-897-6101
Trinity Pregnancy Resource Center
350 Trinity Avenue
Chowchilla, CA 93610
559-665-7700
Silent Voices
355 K St Ste G
Chula Vista, CA 91911
619-422-0757
Grace Elliott Center
2817 N. Wilmington Ave
Compton, CA 90222
310-635-0181
Corona Life Services
623 N. Main Street Suite D11
Corona, CA 92878
951-272-3670
Pregnancy Care Center of the North Coast
721 7th Street, Suite A
Cutten, CA 95534
707-444-0423
Living Help Center
8345 Firestone Blvd, Bldg 300
Downey, CA 90241
562-923-4357
Birthchoice of Imperial Valley
548 W. Main Street, Suite B
El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-2881
Alternatives Medical Clinic
257 E Second Ave
Escondido, CA 92025
760-741-9796
COLFS Medical Clinic
362 W. Mission Ave Suite 105
Escondido, CA 92025
760-741-1224
Fallbrook Pregnancy Resource Center
125 E. Hawthorne
Fallbrook, CA 92028
760-728-4105
Pregnancy Care Center of Fresno
2210 E. Illinois Ave, Suite 406
Fresno, CA 93701
559-237-0683
Informed Choices
66 First Street, Suite A
Gilroy, CA 95020
408-847-8880
Avenues Pregnancy Clinics
1911 W. Glenoaks Blvd
Glendale, CA 91201
818-843-0424
Living Well Medical Clinic
105 Catherine Lane
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-272-6800
Lifeline Pregnancy Center
200 S. 13th Street, Suite 105
Grover Beach, CA 93433
805-481-4987
Crossroads Pregnancy Center
206 W Lacey Blvd Ste A
Hanford, CA 93230
559-583-1900
Casa de los Angelitos
954 Koleeta Dr
Harbor City, CA 90710
310-325-8208
Horizon Pregnancy Clinic
15061 Springdale Street, Suite 109
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
714-897-7500
Refuge Pregnancy Center
81557 Dr. Carreon Blvd Suite B-5
Indio, CA 92201
760-568-2200
Amador Pregnancy Help Center
1001 Broadway, Suite 102
Jackson, CA 95642
209-223-3813
La Habra Life Center
860 E. LaHabra Blv, Suite 150
La Habra, CA 90631
562-691-9395
Elsinore Valley Pregnancy Resource Center
31735 Riverside Dr. suite A
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
951-245-8884
CareNet Women's resource Center
44733 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
661-729-4277
Next Step Pregnancy Decision & Support Ctr
1010 Murrieta Blvd
Livermore, CA 94550
925-425-0414
Directions Medical Clinic
942 E. Pine Street
Lodi, CA 95240
209-368-7190
Horizon Pregnancy Clinic
261 E. Willow Street, Suite C
Long Beach, CA 90806
714-897-7500
His Nesting Place
350 E Market St
Long Beach, CA 90805
562-984-5034
Los Angeles Pregnancy Services
2524 W. 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90057
213-382-5643
Helping Hands Pregnancy Center
5072 Bullion St, Suite B,
Mariposa, CA 95338
209-742-5500
Alpha House Crisis Pregnancy Center
PO Box 2064
Merced, CA 93544
209-383-4700
Pregnancy Counseling Center
10211 Sepulveda Blvd
Mission Hills, CA 91345
818-895-2500
Modesto Pregnancy Center
2801 Coffee Road Suite A-5
Modesto, CA 95355
209-526-1734
Compassion Pregnancy Center
640 Cass Street
Monterey, CA 93940
831-373-8535
Choices Mount Shasta
215 W Alma St
Mt Shasta, CA 96067
530-926-6707
Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic
9535 Reseda Blvd, Suite 303
Northridge, CA 91324
818-830-1200
Pregnancy Resource Center of Marin
1320A Grant Ave
Novato, CA 94945
415-892-0558
Helping Hands Pregnancy Center
49346 Road 426, Suite 2,
Oakhurst, CA 93644
559-642-2229
Life Choices Pregnancy Clinic
1320 Maricopa Highway Suite C
Ojai, CA 93023
805-646-6830
Living Well Medical Clinic
2010 N Tustin St Ste D
Orange, CA 92865
714-637-9664
Caring For Women Pregnancy Resource Center
2362 Lincoln Street
Oroville, CA 95965
530-532-9362
Care Net Pregnancy Center
6586 Clark Road #320
Paradise, CA 95969
530-876-1113
Options for Women
184 E. Leland Road
Pittsburg, CA 94565
925-827-0100
Choices Pregnancy Center
3560 W. Temple Ave. Suite H
Pomona, CA 91768
909-258-9272
Porterville Pregnancy Resource Center
303 W. Henderson Ave
Porterville, CA 93258
559-782-1225
Life Choices of Poway
13412 Pomiraro Rd #C
Poway, CA 92064
858-486-1738
Ramona Women's Clinic
1530 Main Street, Suite 6
Ramona, CA 92065
760-789-7059
Life Net
1008 Madison St
Red Bluff, CA 96080
530-828=0999
Life Light Pregnancy Help Center
3050 Victor Ave #C
Redding, CA 96001
530-222-5200
Ridgecrest Pregnancy Care Center
341 E Ridgecrest Blvd
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
760-384-2273
Riverside Life Services
3727 McCray St
Riverside, CA 92506
909-784-2422
Sierra Pregnancy & Health
1212 Coloma Way, Suite A
Roseville, CA 95661
916-773-4357
Sacramento Life Center
2316 Bell Executive Lane
Sacramento, CA 95825
916-451-2273
Confidence Pregnancy Center
780 E Romie Ln Ste C
Salinas, CA 93901
831-757-5500
Life Choice Pregnancy Center
114 E. Airport Drive Ste 104
San Bernardino, CA 92423
909-825-6656
Pregnancy Resource Center
416 Avenida de la Estrella
San Clemente, CA 92408
949-218-5777
Birthline Pregnancy Resource Center
9915 Businesspark Ave, Suite C
San Diego, CA 92131
858-270-2491
College Area Pregnancy Services
6663 El Cajon Blvd Ste L
San Diego, CA 92115
619-337-8080
True Choice Medical Center
7340 Miramar Rd #205
San Diego, CA 92126
858-457-7800
COLFS Medical Clinic
3750 Convoy St., Suite 118
San Diego, CA 92111
760-741-1224
COLFS Medical Clinic
6280 Jackson Drive, Suite 8
San Diego, CA 92119
760-741-1224
Alpha Pregnancy Center
5070 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94112
415-584-6800
ALPHA Pregnancy Counseling Center
3480 S. Higuera, Suite 100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805-541-3357
Santa Ana Life Center
2428 N. Grand Avenue, Suite K
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-835-5433
Network Medical Women's Center
185-C S. Patterson Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
805-967-9096
SCV Pregnancy Center
25174 Rye Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
661-451-7758
Pregnancy Resource Center of Santa Cruz
1570 Soquel Dr Ste 4
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
831-475-2200
Care Net Pregnancy & Resource Center
201 S. Miller Road, Suite 101
Santa Maria, CA 93454
805-928-9285
Bridges Pregnancy Clinic & Care Center
750 Mendocino Ave Ste 1
Santa Rosa, CA 94501
707-575-9000
East County Pregnancy Care Clinic
10201 Mission Gorge Rd, Suite K1
Santee, CA 92071
619-442-4357
Life Pregnancy Services
7983 Covert Lane
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-829-6661
Pregnancy Help Center
829 Rosemarie Lane, Suite B
Stockton, CA 95207
209-933-9131
MAMA - Crisis Pregnancy Center
472 Richmond Rd
Susanville, CA 96130
530-257-6667
Family Life Pregnancy Center
103 East D Street
Tehachapi, CA 93561
661-823-8255
Pregnancy Help Center
1311 Crenshaw Blvd Ste A
Torrance, CA 90501
310-787-4357
Pregnancy Resource Center of Tracy
1039 Central Ave
Tracy, CA 95376
209-836-4415
Turlock Pregnancy & Health Center
134 Regis St
Turlock, CA 95382
209-656-9898
Mendo Lake Women's Clinic
425 S. Orchard Ave Ste. D
Ukiah, CA 95482
707-463-1436
Alpha Pregnancy Resource Center
1005 Alamo Drive
Vacaville, CA 95687
707-449-8991
Life Centers of Ventura County
4601 Telephone Road, Suite 107
Ventura, CA 93003
805-486-2721
Ventura Cty Pregnancy Center
1732 Palma Drive #103
Ventura, CA 93003
805-648-3301
The Life Center
14725 7th St Ste 600
Victorville, CA 92392
760-243-5006
Care Pregnancy Center
916 W. Main Street
Visalia, CA 93291
559-625-5550
Pathway Health Clinic
1830 Hacienda Dr, Suite 8
Vista, CA 92081
760-334-5955
Whittier Life Center
7743 Painter Ave Ste C
Whittier, CA 90602
562-693-8803
High Desert Pregnancy Clinic
57725 Twentynine Palms Highway Suite 104
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
760-369-8512
In California, abortion, including the use of the abortion pill, is legal and accessible. Here are the key details about abortion laws in California:
- Medication Abortion Availability: The abortion pill (mifepristone and misoprostol) can be used up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
- Telehealth Services: California permits telemedicine consultations for medication abortions.
California, is located on the West Coast of the United States and is the most populous state and a global cultural and economic powerhouse. Los Angeles is its largest city. Known for its diverse geography, California features coastal beaches, towering redwoods, vast deserts, and the Sierra Nevada mountains. The climate varies widely, from Mediterranean along the coast to arid in the deserts. As of 2022, the population of California is projected to be 39.03 million. Universities in California include: The University of California, Stanford University, California State University, Stanford University, and many other colleges and universities. The capital is Sacramento, California.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Do I need an appointment?
Answer: Walk-ins are welcome. However, it is best to make an appointment to minimize your office wait time.
Question: What is the cost?
Answer: All services are free and confidential.
Question: What should I expect when I come for my visit?
Answer: Upon your arrival, a friendly receptionist will guide you to meet your client advocate. This advocate will offer you a judgment-free space to talk, followed by essential information and a pregnancy test. In the event of a positive test result, a dedicated medical professional will perform a limited ultrasound to verify the pregnancy's viability and estimate the age of the fetus.
Question: How long after sex does it take for a pregnancy test to work and how accurate is the test?
Answer: Pregnancy tests can be performed 7 to 10 days after conception. A client with a negative result may be invited to return within 2 weeks for a repeat test if she has not had her period.
If you have taken a home pregnancy test, you may want to confirm results with a laboratory-quality test at your local pregnancy center. These pregnancy tests detect HCg levels within 7 to 10 after conception.
Question: Will you tell anyone about my visit?
Answer: Pregnancy centers maintain a rigorous privacy and confidentiality policy. Clients' information is safeguarded against unauthorized disclosure, respecting their right to privacy, except in instances mandated by law. This includes situations necessary for public health, preventing harm to the client or others, or in specific circumstances where the use or disclosure of information is justified without prior consent, such as in cases of abuse reporting or suicide/homicide prevention.
Question: When should I schedule an appointment?
Answer: High-quality, medical-grade pregnancy tests are capable of detecting pregnancy from the first day after your initial missed period. We advise scheduling an appointment if you've missed a period, have any queries related to pregnancy, or suspect that you might be pregnant.
Question: How far along do I have to be to get a free ultrasound?
Answer: After an initial consultation with a client advocate, many pregnancy centers offer on-site ultrasound scans. These limited ultrasounds are conducted by a licensed nurse sonographer or a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) and are subsequently reviewed by a licensed physician. The purpose of an ultrasound is to confirm the viability of the pregnancy and to establish the gestational age.
Question: I already know I'm pregnant and I want an abortion, what's next?
Answer: It is advisable to have an ultrasound to confirm the viability of your pregnancy and to ensure it is located within the uterus, as 20% to 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Moreover, the ultrasound helps in determining the stage of your pregnancy, which is essential in making an informed decision about the type of abortion procedure you may consider. Many pregnancy centers offer a limited ultrasound free of charge.