Unfortunately, the law required the medication to be mailed to within the State of Colorado only. 

The abortion pill is very effective at ending a pregnancy. For patients who are 9 weeks pregnant or less the abortion pill successfully ends a pregnancy about 96-98% of the time. 

For patients who are 9 to 11 weeks pregnant the success rate decreases to 87-93% but when we give a second dose of the misoprostol medication for these patients, as per our protocol, the abortion pill works 98% of the time of the time. The rates of successfully ending a pregnancy with an abortion pill are similar to the success rates with a surgical abortion procedure. 

The abortion pill is very safe and effective. 

The rates of complications with abortion pills are less than 1% and similar to the rates of complications with first trimester abortion. 

We have careful screening to make sure you are eligible. If you have a bleeding disorder, take blood thinners, take chronic steroids, have severe anemia or a few other specific medical conditions you might not be able to safely proceed with a medication abortion. 

Abortion pill complications can include hemorrhage (excessive bleeding), infection, and failed or incomplete abortion. 

We will mail you all the medications you need including the two abortion medications, the medication to help manage pain and nausea, and a pregnancy test. The first pill medication mifepristone that you swallow started the process and the other 4 tablets of misoprostol you take 6 to 48 hours later cause the bleeding.

The first pill that you will swallow usually does not have any side effects that you will notice. The second pills, will cause bleeding and cramping. Some side effects that can occur include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, shakiness. These are normal and do not last long. 

This is why we recommend using the nausea pills, ondansetron. 

Expect to be on the call for 20-30 minutes. You will need to complete all the paperwork online prior to the appointment. 

Vaginal bleeding after an abortion can be variable. Generally, you will have heavier bleeding the day you take the medication and may pass some blood clots. 

Following that you may have bleeding like a period or slightly heavier for 1-2 weeks and then it should continue to improve. You may have light intermittent bleeding for 3-5 weeks after your abortion pill. Your period will come usually 3 to 5 weeks after your abortion but might look different. Your first 3 menstrual cycles may be irregular and appear different in color, flow or number of days than you are used to. 

If you are ever filling a large pad every 30 minutes for 4 pads in a row (4 pads in 2 hours) passing clots larger than the size of a lemon please call us right away. You will be given the provider’s direct cell phone number to call. 

You should start with pads, but you may wear tampons after 1-2 days following a first trimester abortion and we recommend waiting 2 weeks to use tampons for a second trimester abortion. 

We only allow patients who qualify based on their history to continue with a medication abortion by mail. You will be having an abortion done without an ultrasound which means there is a risk that you are actually further into your pregnancy than you expect or could have a pregnancy outside of the uterus we were not aware of.  The provider will review these risks with you. 

Most patients feel much better within 1-2 days after they take the second pills for the abortion. Cramping can continue off and on for a couple weeks and bleeding can continue off and on for 3-5 weeks. 

We recommend you return to your normal activities right away but avoid vigorous exercise or activities for the first week because it can increase cramping and bleeding. Listen to your body and if something bothers you don’t do it. 

Resuming sexual activity is a personal choice and you should decide when the time is right for you. We recommend no sexual intercourse for at least the first week after an abortion procedure. It is also suggested that you use pads for the first few days after your abortion and then you may use tampons following that. 

The abortion pill is very effective but it is very important that you make sure it worked and that you are not still pregnant. Generally, if your bleeding was heavier than a period and your pregnancy symptoms are gone within 2 weeks you can just do a pregnancy test at home in 4-5 weeks. 

It can take up to 6 weeks for the pregnancy test to turn negative. We give you one pregnancy test to go home with. If you still feel pregnant in 2 weeks or have other concerns you can return for a free follow up visit with us for an ultrasound and evaluation. 

If the abortion pill didn’t work, we will provide an abortion procedure for you at no additional cost if you return within 6 weeks. 

 Your safety, satisfaction and privacy are our top priorities. 

You can get pregnant as soon as 2 weeks after your abortion, before your first period, so it is important to consider birth control options. You can start birth control pills, vaginal ring, or patches the day after your abortion and our providers can send in a prescription to your pharmacy. 

If you would like a Depo-Provera injection or the Nexplanon implant the same day as your abortion, inquire with our clinic to verify your insurance covers this cost or what the self-pay cost is. If you opt to get Depo or a Nexplanon outside of Healthy Futures, it is common that they may require a negative pregnancy test before offering this option which would require you to wait 4 to 6 weeks. 

If you are under 18 years of age on the day of your abortion you can still get an abortion. While your parent does not need to give consent for the abortion there are laws in Colorado regarding notification that we need to follow. There are four options for getting an abortion in Colorado under age 18. 

•  You can bring a parent or legal guardian to your appointment and bring proper documentation to show they are a parent or legal guardian. 

• We can follow the “Colorado Parental Notification Act”, passed in 2003, that requires the healthcare provider to notify the parent or legal guardian of a minor’s scheduled abortion. The notification letter must be sent via certified mail to the parent or guardian at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled abortion. 

• Present documentation of legal emancipation. 

• Judicial bypass program. This is a process in which a judge reviews the case and determines if a minor can proceed with an abortion without parental notification. We have access to lawyers that provide counsel for this service at little or no cost to you. Please call the office if you are interested in the judicial bypass option. Alternatively for help with judicial bypass you can call 303-813-7765 and leave message with your information or text CARE to 57890. 

The fee you pay covers unlimited ultrasounds as required, the mifepristone and misoprostol abortion pills, one pregnancy test to take home and any required follow up visits or procedures. 

If you are still pregnant because the abortion pill did not work your follow up procedure and aftercare is included in your initial fee as long as you return within six weeks. 

If you change your mind and return that amount will go towards the cost of your abortion. 

You can call the clinic at (303) 991-7700 for questions or to reach a provider. You will also be given the direct cell phone number of a Healthy Futures’ physician to contact in case of emergency. We are here to support you with any issues that come up. Our entire staff is dedicated to your health. 

If you’re looking for a Primary Care Physician for your annual reproductive and/or Gyn needs you can learn more about the services we offer by visiting our Healthy Futures Primary Care website. We offer comprehensive primary care services for all chronic and acute medical conditions.