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Medical Abortion
Medical abortion involves opening the cervix and generating uterine contraction to expel the content of pregnancy through drugs.
Medical abortion typically stretches from several days to weeks.
Can be administered up to 24th week of pregnancy
What is the Abortion Pill?
“Abortion pill” is the common name for using two different medicines to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. Misoprostol can be used alone to have an abortion.
First, mifepristone is taken. It deprives the newly implanted human embryo of a vital nutrient hormone, progesterone. The tiny baby literally withers and dies on the vine. Mifepristone blocks your body’s own progesterone, stopping the pregnancy from growing.
Then it is followed by a 2nd medicine, misoprostol, taken either right away or up to 48 hours later. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus. It’s kind of like having a really heavy, crampy period, and the process is very similar to an early miscarriage. If there is no bleeding within 24 hours after taking misoprostol, check with doctor.
It is illegal to purchase abortion pills online in Singapore and you are at a higher risk of developing serious complications from an abortion without medical supervision.
Effects of Abortion Pills
When the effect of the abortion pills kicks in, the woman may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, headache and fever.
Vaginal bleeding and cramping are the biggest side effects. The vaginal bleeding and uterine pain will intensify until complete expulsion.
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Seek medical attention after an abortion if you have any of these symptoms:
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Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
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Severe abdominal or back pain
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Fever lasting more than 24 hours
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Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Medical Abortion is NOT suitable for:
Ectopic Pregnancy: The pills don't work and it's dangerous; needs immediate medical attention.
Severe Health Conditions:
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Adrenal gland failure, severe anemia, or clotting disorders.
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Uncontrolled heart, liver, or kidney disease.
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Porphyria (a genetic disorder).
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or stomach ulcers.
Medication Interactions: Long-term steroid use or taking strong blood thinners (anticoagulants).
Allergies: Known allergy to mifepristone or misoprostol.
IUD in Place: Must be removed before the pills are taken.
Inability to Follow Up: Not for those who can't attend follow-up abortion care appointments
What is cost of the Abortion Pill?
In Singapore, abortion pills have to be prescribed by an authorised medical practitioner in an approved institution.
The cost of the abortion depends on the medicines that need to be taken in combination. Generally, up to 13 tablets can be taken in combination, over an 8-hour period.
However, such a combination can be rather expensive and can cost up to $1,000.
Cost can vary from $500 to $4,500 depending on on the body’s response to the pills, and
whether there are any complications from the abortion and the treatment needed for the complications. The cost of a medical abortion therefore depends on the pregnant woman body’s response to the abortion drugs.
Safety Checklist
Before you go to an abortion clinic, ask yourself these questions:​
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Do I understand the risks involved in the abortion procedure?
Am I suitable for medical abortion?
Do I know enough to be confident of my choice?
What are the qualifications of the abortion provider?
How are complications handled?
Is it ok to change my mind? ​
Note: aLife provides resource facilitation and accurate information on all pregnancy options. We do not provide or refer for abortion services, but we are committed to offering clear, trustworthy information. Website content is for general education only and not a substitute for professional or medical advice.
If you’ve started a medical abortion but regret the decision, Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) may be possible if only,
the first pill (mifepristone) has been taken.
APR involves administering progesterone to counteract the effects of mifepristone, and studies have shown it can sometimes successfully sustain the pregnancy if started quickly.
For more on APR, contact the Abortion Pill Rescue Network.
After Abortion Support
If you have had an abortion—or know someone who has—you may notice emotional or physical changes and wonder where they come from. You may experience sadness, loneliness, anger, guilt, or even a loss of interest in daily life after an abortion. Research shows that some women experience mood difficulties after an abortion (Gebeyehu et al., 2023).
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Many women, whatever they are feeling, find it healing to talk about their experience.
Support from a trained professional, a trusted family member, or a close friend can make a difference, even though shame or fear of judgment may make sharing feel hard.
Even if you haven’t told your parents, friends, or partner, you don’t have to carry this alone. Support is available, and you need not carry it alone.
Need Someone to Talk to?
Contact aLife for reliable information and personalised care that meet your needs.
Or leave a message here!