The Bronx's Only Private Women's Health Clinic | 642 Southern Blvd — 1 Block from the 6 Train | For abortion info, call/text NYC Abortion Access Hub: 877-NYC-AHUB | 877-692-2482
If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant and you’re considering your options, you’re not alone. Thousands of women across New York City face this decision every year, and having accurate medical information is the first step toward making the choice that’s right for you.
At Dr. Emily Women’s Health Center in the Bronx, we’ve provided compassionate, physician-supervised abortion care for over 20 years. As the only private, AAAASF-accredited women’s health clinic located in the Bronx, we believe every patient deserves a clear, honest understanding of how the abortion pill works, who it’s right for, and what to expect—before making a decision.
Ready to schedule? Call us at 718-585-1010 or visit dremily.net to request an appointment online. We’re here to answer your questions.
The “abortion pill” is actually two different FDA-approved medications used together to end an early pregnancy:
Mifepristone is taken first. This medication blocks progesterone, a hormone your body needs to maintain the pregnancy. Without progesterone, the pregnancy stops developing.
Misoprostol is taken 24 to 48 hours later. This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue, similar to a heavy menstrual period. Most women complete this part of the process at home.
Together, these two medications are highly effective when used within the recommended timeframe. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the mifepristone-misoprostol regimen is effective in approximately 95 to 98 percent of cases when used up to 10 weeks (70 days) of pregnancy.
At Dr. Emily Women’s Health Center, we offer abortion pill services for patients who are up to 9 weeks pregnant (as confirmed by ultrasound). Not every patient is a candidate for medication abortion. Your eligibility depends on several factors that your doctor will evaluate during your visit:
If the abortion pill is not the right option for your situation, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Dr. Emily Women’s Health Center also offers surgical abortion with general anesthesia for pregnancies up to 21 weeks, performed by our board-certified physicians in our AAAASF-accredited facility.
Understanding the process ahead of time helps many patients feel more prepared and less anxious. Here’s what a typical medication abortion looks like when you come to our clinic:
Your Appointment
During your visit, your doctor will confirm your pregnancy with a blood test and ultrasound, review your medical history, discuss your options, and make sure medication abortion is safe for you. You’ll receive the first medication (mifepristone) at the clinic. This is also the time to ask any questions you have—our team is here to make sure you feel fully informed and supported.
At Home: 24 to 48 Hours Later
You’ll take the second medication (misoprostol) at home. Within a few hours, you can expect cramping and bleeding as your body passes the pregnancy tissue. This part of the process usually takes several hours, though the timeline varies from person to person. Many patients describe it as similar to a very heavy period with strong cramps.
In addition to cramping and bleeding, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mild fever or chills, headache, and fatigue. These side effects are temporary and are a normal part of the process. Your doctor will provide clear instructions on managing discomfort and will let you know exactly what symptoms should prompt a phone call to our clinic.
Follow-Up Care
A follow-up visit or check-in is an important part of medication abortion care. Your doctor will confirm that the abortion is complete and that you’re recovering normally. This is also a good time to discuss birth control options if you want to prevent future pregnancies. We offer same-day IUD and Nexplanon insertion for patients who are ready.
Today, several telehealth companies offer to mail abortion pills directly to your home, sometimes without an ultrasound or in-person evaluation. While telehealth has expanded access for many people, it’s important to understand what you may be missing with a mail-order approach:
We’re not here to discourage any option that’s right for you. We’re here to make sure you have the full picture so you can choose with confidence.
Cost is one of the most common concerns we hear from patients, and we want to be upfront about it. In New York State, both state-regulated private insurance and Medicaid are required to cover abortion care without a deductible or copay. That means your abortion pill visit may be fully covered.
Dr. Emily Women’s Health Center accepts Medicaid and most major insurance plans. If you’re uninsured, our billing team can help you explore your options, including emergency Medicaid enrollment, which many patients qualify for. We’re happy to verify your coverage before your appointment—just call 718-585-1010 or email billing@dremily.net.
While the abortion pill is highly effective in early pregnancy, there is a small chance—roughly 2 to 5 percent—that it may not completely end the pregnancy. Signs of an incomplete medication abortion can include prolonged heavy bleeding, persistent pregnancy symptoms, or a positive pregnancy test weeks after taking the medications.
If this happens, a follow-up procedure (usually a brief aspiration or D&C) is needed to safely complete the process. This is one of the key reasons we encourage in-person care: at Dr. Emily, we can handle this situation immediately in our AAAASF-accredited surgical facility with general anesthesia, so you’re never left searching for emergency care on your own.
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