For Nicole, taking the abortion pill was like getting through "an extremely painful poop." It hurt—a lot—and then it was done. She was bartending at the time, light-years away from thinking about motherhood, and decided on medication abortion. At $585, it was cheaper than a surgical abortion. Plus, Nicole wanted do it in the privacy of her own home. Two pills, four days, and several pairs of bloody underwear later ("It was basically like an extra heavy period for a week," she says), she went back to work at the bar.
Medication abortion, or the "abortion pill" is a legal way to end a pregnancy—one that women like Nicole increasingly prefer over surgical abortion for a variety of reasons. According to new data from the Guttmacher Institute, medication abortions now account for more than half of all abortions in the United States.
Over the last couple years, in-person restrictions have resulted in a growing number of people choosing the abortion pill. On Friday, the Supreme Court announced its decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, which established the constitutional right to have an abortion in the United States nearly 50 years ago. With reproductive rights under constant attack—now more so than ever before—the idea of taking an abortion pill on your own terms, in your own home, is increasingly appealing. The process, however, is shrouded in mystery and misinformation. Here's everything you need to know.
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