Yes, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mifepristone (the first of two medicines used in a medication abortion) in 2000 to end pregnancies and it is now approved to end pregnancies up to 10 weeks. Since 2021, the FDA has allowed providers like Hey Jane to mail abortion pills to patients. Currently, Hey Jane is serving states that permit telemedication abortion. To find out more about what is legal in your state and where to go if you are at a later stage in your pregnancy and want an abortion, visit ineedana.com, call the National Abortion Federation hotline, or visit If/When/How. The Guttmacher Institute also provides a state-by-state breakdown of current abortion laws. All links can be found on our Resources page, too.

There are different factors to consider, including what state you live in (and if it restricts abortion after a certain number of weeks), and how far along your pregnancy is. Check out our online pregnancy calculator to estimate how many weeks the pregnancy is and your pregnancy options—including abortion pills.

Hey Jane treats patients up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, but there are in-person clinics where you can get abortion care beyond that point. Appointment availability can range from a few days to several weeks, so it’s important to try to seek care for your abortion as soon as possible, if that’s what you choose. Be careful when looking for a reliable health center. There are fake clinics called ‘crisis pregnancy centers,’ managed by anti-abortion groups. At these facilities, they may not offer you all the facts about your pregnancy options. Visit our Resources page for more information.

Here’s our guide on what to expect and how to prepare. Remember that each person’s experience is different and the symptoms can vary from person to person.

Pain & Cramping: Strong cramping is a normal part of the treatment and usually starts a few hours after taking the second medicine (misoprostol).

Here are some things that can help:

• Take pain medicine, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed on the prescription in your Hey Jane shipment
• Put a hot water bottle or heating pad on your belly
• Take a shower
• Sit on the toilet
• Have someone rub your back
• Drink warm tea or soup

You will cramp less and less as the hours and days go by.

Bleeding: Heavy bleeding and strong cramps start about 1-4 hours after taking the second medicine (misoprostol). Heavy bleeding means the treatment is working.

• Bleeding can be very heavy (usually heavier than your period), sometimes with clots (up to the size of a lemon). Heavy bleeding is normal. If you completely soak through 2 maxi pads per hour for at least 2 hours in a row, you are bleeding too much and should seek in-person care.
• Heavy bleeding can last for a few hours (usually around 6 hours), but usually not more than 24 hours, then gets lighter.
• Use maxi pads so you can tell how much you’re bleeding. You can use tampons when the heavy bleeding lets up.
• If you see pregnancy tissue (usually white or gray in color), it can be flushed down the toilet. You may not see it. The pregnancy is very small.
• It’s normal to have bleeding or spotting for a few days or weeks after treatment. It may start and stop a few times. It should get lighter and lighter.
• Your period should come back in about 4-8 weeks, but this is different for each person

Other common symptoms:

• Fever and chills: are common during the first 24 hours after taking the second medicine (misoprostol). Ibuprofen or Tylenol can help. This should go away within 24 hours.  
• Headache: ibuprofen or Tylenol can help
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea: this should go away in 1 or 2 days after you take the pills.
• Feeling tired: you may feel tired for 1 or 2 days. You should be back to normal soon.
• Breast changes: tenderness should go away within a week. You may leak a milky discharge. Wear a snug-fitting bra if you do. This should stop in a couple days.

Sadness or mood changes: You may feel relieved when the abortion is over. You may also feel sad or moody, which is normal and can come from hormonal changes now that you’re no longer pregnant. If you think your emotions are not what they should be, please talk to us. There are also great support text and talklines on our Resources page.

No—decades of research demonstrate that having an abortion does not make it harder to get pregnant later. There is no evidence that an abortion (or any number of abortions, for thant matter) impacts future fertility. Learn more about getting pregnant after an abortion here.