Abortion Clinic in Portage, IN - Safe Medication Abortion Services

What Is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is a non-surgical method of ending a pregnancy using two FDA-approved medications taken over 1-2 days. This method has been used safely and effectively since 2000, with millions of successful procedures worldwide.

The abortion pill is NOT:

• Emergency contraception (Plan B, ella)
• The “morning after pill”
• An experimental treatment
• A single pill you take once

The abortion pill IS:

• A two-medication process taken over 1-2 days
• 95-98% effective for pregnancies up to 12 weeks
• Backed by 20+ years of clinical research
• FDA-approved specifically for pregnancy termination
• Safer than many common over-the-counter medications

How the Abortion Pill Works

The process involves two medications that work together to end the pregnancy.

Medication #1: Mifepristone (RU-486)

This medication blocks progesterone, a hormone essential for maintaining pregnancy. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot continue to develop and the uterine lining begins to break down.

When you take it: First, usually at the clinic or when pills arrive at home What to expect: Most people feel no immediate symptoms after taking mifepristone

Medication #2: Misoprostol (Cytotec)

This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue, similar to a miscarriage.

When you take it: 24-48 hours after mifepristone How it’s taken: Usually placed between cheek and gum, or vaginally What to expect: Cramping and bleeding typically begin 30 minutes to 4 hours later

Effectiveness by Gestational Age

If medication abortion doesn’t work completely (less than 5% of cases), we provide follow-up care at no additional cost.

Two Ways to Get the Abortion Pill from Portage

Option 1: Telehealth Abortion Pill

Complete your medication abortion from home—no travel to Illinois required.

The Process:

Step 1: Schedule Your Consultation

• Call (307) 206-0884 or book online 24/7
• Same-day or next-day appointments available
• Choose video call or phone consultation

Step 2: Meet with Your Provider (20-30 minutes)

Your virtual consultation includes:

• Pregnancy confirmation and dating
• Complete medical history review
• Discussion of how abortion pills work
• What to expect during and after
• Answers to all your questions
• Eligibility determination

Step 3: Receive Pills by Discreet Mail

• Prescription sent to pharmacy partner
• Shipped to your Portage address (2-5 days)
• Plain, unmarked packaging
• Generic return address
• Looks like standard online shopping

Step 4: Take Pills at Home

• Clear instructions provided
• Take mifepristone when pills arrive
• Take misoprostol 24-48 hours later
• 24/7 medical support available

Step 5: Follow-Up Care

• Scheduled 1-2 weeks later
• Via telehealth or in-person (your choice)
• Confirms successful abortion
• Birth control discussion if desired

Who chooses telehealth:

• Want maximum privacy
• Prefer to avoid 35-minute drive
• Comfortable managing at home
• Have childcare or work constraints
• Value convenience and discretion

Option 2: In-Clinic Abortion Pill

Visit our licensed clinic just 35 minutes from Portage for face-to-face care.

Address: 600 Towncenter Road, Suite 501, Matteson, IL 60443

Your Clinic Visit Includes:

1. Consultation with medical provider
2. Ultrasound (confirms pregnancy and dating)
3. Lab tests if needed (included in cost)
4. First medication taken at clinic
5. Take-home medications
6. Complete written instructions
7. Follow-up appointment scheduled

Timeline:

• Morning appointment (60-90 minutes)
• Return home to Portage
• Take second medication 24-48 hours later
• Follow-up 1-2 weeks later

Who chooses in-clinic:

• Prefer face-to-face care
• Want ultrasound confirmation
• Feel more comfortable in medical setting
• Don’t mind the short drive
• Want first pill supervised

What to Expect: Complete Guide

Before Taking the Abortion Pill

Preparing at Home

Gather these supplies before taking your pills:

Essentials:

• Ibuprofen 600-800mg (or prescribed pain medication)
• Heating pad
• Maxi pads (heavy absorbency) – NOT tampons
• Comfortable, loose clothing
• Light foods and clear liquids

Optional but helpful:

• Entertainment (movies, books, music)
• Support person
• Extra pillows and blankets

Best Timing

Choose a time when you can:

• Be home for 4-8 hours
• Access bathroom easily
• Have privacy and comfort
• Rest without obligations

Most Portage patients choose:

• Friday evening (recover over weekend)
• Saturday morning (full weekend available)
• Day off work when supported

Taking the Abortion Pill

Day 1: Mifepristone

How to take:

• Swallow pill with water
• Can take with or without food
• Only one pill

What to expect:

• Usually no immediate symptoms
• Light spotting possible (15-20% of people)
• Pregnancy symptoms may start decreasing

What you can do:

• Resume normal activities
• Go to work/school
• Exercise as usual
• Wait 24-48 hours for second medication

Day 2 or 3: Misoprostol

Before taking:

• Take ibuprofen 600-800mg 30 minutes before
• Eat a light snack
• Set up comfortable resting area
• Have heating pad ready
• Keep phone charged

How to take:

• Place 4 tablets between cheek and gum OR in vagina
• Hold for 30 minutes
• Swallow what remains with water

What Happens Next

First 1-4 hours:

This is when the abortion happens. You’ll experience:

Cramping:

• Begins 30 minutes to 4 hours after taking pills
• Usually stronger than menstrual cramps
• Comes in waves
• Peaks when tissue passes
• Most intense for 2-3 hours

Bleeding:

• Starts within 30 minutes to 4 hours (average: 2 hours)
• Heavier than normal period
• May soak through pads
• Blood clots are normal
• Tissue passing is expected

Other symptoms:

• Nausea or vomiting (20-30%)
• Diarrhea (20%)
• Dizziness
• Chills or fever (may reach 100-101°F)
• Headache, fatigue

All of these symptoms are normal.

After 4-6 hours:

• Bleeding and cramping peak then decrease
• Symptoms improve
• May feel tired or weak
• Bleeding continues but lighter

Managing Symptoms

For cramping:

• Ibuprofen 600-800mg every 6 hours
• Heating pad on abdomen or back
• Change positions (curl on side, hands/knees)
• Gentle massage
• Deep breathing

For nausea:

• Anti-nausea medication (we can prescribe)
• Ginger tea or ginger ale
• Light, bland foods
• Avoid strong smells

For diarrhea:

• Stay hydrated
• Eat binding foods (bananas, rice, toast)
• Anti-diarrheal medication is okay

Normal vs. Concerning Bleeding

Normal bleeding:

• Soaking 1-2 pads per hour for a few hours
• Passing clots up to lemon-size
• Heavier than your heaviest period
• Some gushing when standing

Too much bleeding (seek care):

• Soaking 2+ pads per hour for 2+ hours
• Feeling dizzy, weak, or faint

After the Abortion Pill

Recovery Timeline

Days 1-3:

• Moderate to heavy bleeding
• Mild cramping
• Most return to work within 1-2 days

Week 1:

• Bleeding lighter than initial process
• Small clots normal
• Energy returns gradually

Weeks 2-4:

• Light bleeding or spotting may continue
• Normal cycle returns in 4-8 weeks
• Can get pregnant immediately

Returning to Activities

Work/school: Most return within 1-2 days Light walking: Immediately okay Moderate exercise: After bleeding is light (3-5 days) Strenuous exercise: Wait until bleeding stops Sex: Wait 1-2 weeks or until bleeding stops Tampons: Use pads only for 1-2 weeks Bathing: Showers anytime; baths after heavy bleeding stops

Emotional Support

Feelings after abortion vary widely and all are valid:

• Relief (most common)
• Sadness or grief
• Mix of emotions
• Hormonal mood swings

Support resources:

• Our staff: (307) 206-0884
• Exhale Pro-Voice: 1-866-439-4253
• All-Options Talkline: 1-888-493-0092
• Faith Aloud: 1-888-717-5010

Follow-Up Appointment

Scheduled 1-2 weeks after taking pills to:

• Confirm abortion was complete
• Ensure proper recovery
• Address any concerns
• Discuss birth control

How we confirm success:

• Discussion of symptoms and bleeding
• Pregnancy test (negative 4-5 weeks later)
• Ultrasound (if needed)

If abortion was incomplete (2-4% of cases):

• May need additional medication
• Rarely, surgical procedure needed
• Follow-up care at no extra cost

Safety and Privacy

Abortion Pill Safety

Medication abortion is extremely safe with over 20 years of proven use.

Safety statistics:

• Serious complications: Less than 0.2% (2 in 1,000)
• Infection: 0.01% (1 in 10,000)
• Hemorrhage requiring transfusion: 0.03% (3 in 10,000)

Safer than:

• Childbirth (14 times more dangerous)
• Tylenol (0.4% serious complication rate)
• Wisdom teeth extraction
• Many prescription medications

FDA approval:

• Mifepristone: Approved since 2000
• Misoprostol: WHO Essential Medicine
• Over 5 million uses in US
• Backed by extensive research

Who Should NOT Use Abortion Pills

Cannot use if you have:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• IUD in place (must be removed first)
• Chronic adrenal failure
• Hereditary porphyria
• Allergy to mifepristone or misoprostol

Discuss with provider if you have:

• Severe anemia
• Bleeding disorders
• Severe uncontrolled asthma
• No access to emergency care within 2 hours

This is why medical evaluation is essential before receiving pills.

Privacy Protection

For Portage residents, we understand privacy is crucial.

Discreet Packaging:

• Plain boxes or envelopes
• No medical labeling
• Generic return address
• Looks like standard mail

Secure Communications:

• HIPAA-compliant encrypted platforms
• Private phone numbers
• Encrypted emails
• Secure medical records

Anonymous Billing:

• Discreet business name on statements
• No mention of abortion or medical services

Legal Protections:

• Federal HIPAA privacy laws
• Illinois state protections
• Information never shared without consent

No one will know unless you tell them.

Cost and Financial Help

Transparent Pricing

What’s included:

• Consultation (telehealth or in-clinic)
• Medical evaluation
• Both abortion medications
• Pain management medications
• Anti-nausea medication
• Complete instructions
• 24/7 support
• Follow-up appointment
• Birth control counseling

Call (307) 206-0884 for current pricing.