How to Take Abortion Pills

Follow these easy instruction on how to take the abortion pills at home

How to Take the Plan C Abortion Pills
Image of a woman holding a glass of water and swallowing a pills

Step 1: Mifepristone

Swallow the 1st abortion pill Mifepristone with a glass of water.

Two time clocks showing the amount of time you are supposed to wait before taking next pills

Wait

Wait 24-48 hours. You might have some mild bleeding or cramping during this time.

Illustration showing how to take the pills sublingually

Step 2: Misoprostol

Place 4 Misoprostol pills under your tongue and let them dissolve. Swallow your saliva as they dissolve. Wait 30 minutes and swallow whatever is left with water or juice. If you have a lot of nausea you can instead put the 4 Misoprostol in your vagina if you do this you want to put them as far up into your vagina as possible and then lie down for 30 minutes.

If you are 9-11 weeks you will need to wait 4 hours after taking the first 4 Misoprostol pills then take 4 more Misoprostol pills.

Woman laying down and holding a hot water bag over her belly

Bleeding and Cramping

Bleeding and Cramping should start 1-24 hours after you take the misoprostol. You can take 800mg of Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours if you need it for pain. Heating packs and hot showers can also help with cramping

Image of a blue heart on a pink background with a scarf wrapped around it saying self-care isn't selfish

Self Care

Take care of yourself and love yourself. Try to share your experience with those who are closest to you. Abortion is normal and common- everybody knows somebody who has had an abortion. You can also reach out to the Exhale hotline. It is a free service where if you need to you can talk through your experience having an abortion.

Image of a person with glasses at a computer

Afterward

Once you have passed the pregnancy you can resume normal activities. Just listen to your body and do not push yourself if you do not feel well. If you liked our service please like and follow us on Facebook @pillsbypost and Instagram @pillsbypost.

Our guide to getting abortion pills:

  1. Click “Get Abortion Pills” below to get started.

  2. Complete intake process.

  3. Our doctor reviews your answers and asks for additional information if needed.

  4. You will receive an approval email from Pills by Post.

  5. Submit payment.

  6. Receive your service.

  7. Sign-up for our online portal.

  8. You will receive a follow-up text or portal message 2 weeks later.

Need financial assistance?

  • AFTER you have completed the intake and signed the consents please email support@pillsbypost.com.

  • Please let us know how much you are able to afford to pay.

Financial assistance resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pills By Post?

Pills By Post is a telehealth service that provides medication abortion care — the abortion pill — through a secure online consultation with a board-certified physician. After your appointment, your medication is mailed directly to you in discreet, unmarked packaging. We serve patients in Michigan, California, Colorado, Washington DC, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Washington, and Virginia.

How do I get the abortion pill from Pills By Post?

The process is simple:

  1. Complete a brief online health intake form
  2. Pay for the medication.  In the unlikely event you are not approved (99% of requests are approved) you will receive a full refund
  3. Choose to either pick up your medication at a local CVS pharmacy or opt to have your medication mailed to you
  4. Download the Spruce app so you can call or text us securely with any questions you might have during your care.

What is the abortion pill?

The abortion pill is actually a two-medication regimen. The first medication, mifepristone, stops the pregnancy from growing and makes the cervix softer so the pregnancy tissue can come out more easily. The second medication, misoprostol, is taken 24-48 hours later and causes the uterus to push the pregnancy out. Together they are highly effective — over 98% effective through 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Is medication abortion legal in my state?

Pills By Post currently serves patients in states where medication abortion via telehealth is legal: California, Colorado, Washington DC, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Washington, and Virginia. If you are unsure about your state, please call us.

Is Pills By Post legitimate and safe?

Yes. Pills By Post is a licensed medical practice operating under the care of a board-certified physician. The medication abortion regimen we prescribe — mifepristone and misoprostol — is FDA-approved and has been used safely and effectively for over 25 years. It is one of the most studied medications in reproductive healthcare.

How far along in pregnancy can I use the abortion pill?

We provide the medication abortion pills through 13 weeks gestation.

Is the abortion pill the same as Plan B (emergency contraception)?

No. These are completely different medications. Plan B prevents pregnancy from occurring. The abortion pill ends an existing pregnancy. They work differently and are used at different times.

Is it legal to mail abortion pills?

Yes, it is legal to mail abortion pills in every State we serve.

Do I need to come in person?

No. Pills By Post is entirely telehealth — you never need to come to a clinic or office. Everything happens online and by mail.

What are the side effects of the abortion pill?

The most common side effects are:

  • Cramping
  • Bleeding
  • Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
  • Low grade fever
  • Headache
  • Body aches and chills.

Over the counter Ibuprofen or Tylenol can be used to manage pain and fever. Nausea medication can be provided for an additional small fee.

Will anyone find out I used this service?

We take your privacy extremely seriously. Your care is confidential and kept in a secure electronic health record system. We also offer encrypted text messaging through Spruce. Please feel free to contact us with any specific concerns we would be happy to discuss how we protect your information.

How quickly will I receive my medication?

After your consultation and prescription, medication is typically mailed within 1-2 business days. Delivery time depends on your location but typically arrives within 2-5 business days after it is shipped. You will receive a tracking number via email when your medication is shipped.

What if I have questions or concerns after taking the medication?

We can provide one on one phone and text support throughout your care.

What if I need to go to the hospital?

Medical complications requiring you to go to the hospital are not common. We encourage you to try and connect with us first. In the unlikely event you need to go to the hospital you do not need to tell them that you took abortion pills if you do not comfortable disclosing this information. A medication abortion looks identical to a miscarriage and is treated exactly the same as a miscarriage.

Is my information kept private?

Absolutely. Your privacy is our priority. We use HIPAA- compliant systems for all consultations and communications. Your medication arrives in discreet, unmarked packaging with no identifying information about the contents.

What if I am afraid to have the medication mailed to my home address?

You can provide us with the address of a trusted family member or friend. Some people will use a PO Box. Medication can also often be sent to General Delivery at the Post Office for you to pick up.  Not all Post Offices offer General Delivery so please contact your local post office first to see if this is an option at their location.

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