Facing an unexpected pregnancy can feel overwhelming. You may be sorting through questions, emotions, and pressure from different directions. At CAPS, we want you to have a calm and supportive place to understand your options with clarity.
For years, the FDA has reported that serious complications from the abortion pill were rare, affecting fewer than half a percent of patients. But new research released in 2025 suggests that real world experiences may look very different.
This article explains those findings and shows why getting a confirmatory ultrasound is one of the most important steps you can take for your health.
Key Findings from the 2025 EPPC Study
A large study released in April 2025 by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) reviewed over 865,000 insurance claims from women who used the abortion pill. The findings suggest that complications are more common than older data showed.
Here are the key takeaways[1]:
- Core Statistic: The study found that 10.93 percent of women who took mifepristone experienced a serious or life-threatening adverse event (or complication) within 45 days. This is at least 22 times higher than the “less than 0.5 percent” reported by earlier FDA trials..
- Types of Complications: Complications included heavy bleeding, infection, and sepsis. Each of these can be dangerous and require immediate medical care.
- Human Impact: These complications are not just statistics. They represent real women dealing with pain, fear, unexpected medical bills, and emergency treatments.
Why the Numbers Look Different
The FDA label is based on 10 clinical trials with 30,966 participants. These trials were completed more than a decade ago. They took place in controlled environments that do not reflect how often medication abortions are done today.[2]
Here are the biggest differences between clinical trials and real-world use:
- Ideal Trial Conditions: Participants were monitored closely, ultrasounds confirmed how far along they were and follow up was required.
- RealWorld Conditions: Many women now receive abortion pills through telehealth without an in-person exam or ultrasound. This increases the risk of taking the medication later in pregnancy or while experiencing an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy. Both situations increase the risk of serious complications.
Serious Abortion Pill Complications
The study found several complications that required urgent medical attention[3]:
- Hemorrhaging: Heavy bleeding that can last hours or days. Some women required blood transfusions or emergency surgery.[4]
- Sepsis: A severe infection that can lead to organ failure or death if untreated. Sepsis often occurs after an incomplete abortion.[5]
- Emergency Interventions: Many women required ER visits, hospitalizations, procedures to remove remaining tissue, or antibiotics.
These complications show that the abortion pill experience can be more serious than what many expect.
Why an Ultrasound Matters
Ultrasounds were once a standard requirement before receiving the abortion pill. As some safeguards were removed, many women began taking the medication without confirming essential information about their pregnancy.
An ultrasound protects your health in two important ways:
Viability
An ultrasound shows whether the pregnancy is developing normally. It confirms signs like a detectable heartbeat, which usually appears around 6.5 to 7 weeks. It can also identify miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. These situations require different medical care and do not require an abortion.[6]
Gestational Age
Knowing how far along you are is essential. In California, abortion is legal up to the point of viability, which is around 24 weeks.[7][8] The abortion pill, however, is only FDA approved through 10 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period.[9] Taking it after that point increases the risk of complications.
CAPS offers free ultrasounds for women who receive a positive pregnancy test at our center. Our staff provides compassionate care, clear information, and a private environment.
Get the Facts on the Abortion Pill at CAPS
You do not have to make this decision alone. You deserve to know every fact and every risk so you can make a confident and informed choice.
At CAPS, we are here to support you with free ultrasounds, consultations, and a nonjudgmental space to talk through your situation.
Call us at (619) 337-8080 or schedule your appointment online.
Please be aware that CAPS does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- Ethics & Public Policy Center. (2025, April 28). Insurance Data Reveals One in Ten Patients Experiences a Serious Adverse Event. https://eppc.org/publication/insurance-data-reveals-one-in-ten-patients-experiences-a-serious-adverse-event/
- See source #1.
- See source #1.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, April 24). Hemorrhage: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/hemorrhage
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, April 24). Sepsis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12361-sepsis
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023, March 3). Fetal Development. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth
- Executive Department, State of California. (2019, May 31). Proclamation on Reproductive Freedom. https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Proclamation-on-Reproductive-Freedom.pdf
- Breborowicz, G. (2001, January). Limits of fetal viability and its enhancement. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11753511/
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2023, March 23). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information