Medication abortion or the “abortion pill” is a legal way to end a pregnancy and is preferred by people over surgical abortion for a variety of reasons. The popularity of the abortion pill has been growing over the years, and this has been recently fuelled by the pandemic given that the procedure can be safely self-managed at home.

How does an abortion pill work?

‍The medicine used in abortion pills works by relaxing and opening the cervix (opening to the uterus) and causing the uterus to contract, which pushes out the pregnancy.
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Is abortion legal in India?

Abortion is legal in India up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The opinion of one Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) is required for pregnancies up to 12 weeks and of two RMPs for pregnancies exceeding 12 weeks, but less than 20 weeks.

So it’s not the same as iPill or Morning after pill?

They are two very different things. The so-called “morning after” pill, branded as Plan B, helps to prevent pregnancy while the abortion pill helps to end a pregnancy.

How safe is it?

As with any medical procedure or medication, there is some risk associated with using the abortion pills. These can include blood clots, excessive bleeding, and infection. Overall, the abortion pills are a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy when used correctly. If 100 women use medical abortion pills to terminate a pregnancy in the first 12 weeks, less than 5 of them would need further medical care due to any complications.

What does it feel like?‍

The symptoms of an abortion with pills are very similar to a spontaneous miscarriage, and an abortion with pills is safe for women to use privately. Spontaneous miscarriage symptoms include (but not limited to) fluid, blood or tissue passing from the vagina and pain in the stomach or lower back.

Which abortion pills are available in India?

The commonly available abortion pills in India are a combination of Misoprostol and Mifepristone which is sold under different brand names that include Safe-T kit, MIFEGEST Kit, and  MTP Kit.

Where can I buy abortion pills in India?

Pharmacists are allowed to dispense abortion pills against a valid prescription.

Still curious about the abortion pill?

Howtouseabortionpill.org works to share facts and resources about the abortion pill - what to consider beforehand, where to acquire quality abortion pills, how to use them safely, what to expect, and when to seek medical help if necessary.
They recently launched a Self-Managed Abortion video series to support women and abortion seekers interested in having a safe abortion at home.