Fainting During Early Medical Abortion: Understanding the Causes

Question
A couple of days, i had experienced a ema ( early medical abortion )i had belly ache the whole way home, and fainted before i had even started to bleed? i have read up about it being normal to faint from blood loss, but at this time i had not even started to bleed, do you have any idea why? thanks for your help.

Answer
Dear Georgina,
I am not aware of a risk of fainting after taking the first pill of a medical abortion (mifepristone).  As you mentioned, I have only heard of a risk of fainting after taking the second set of pills for a medical abortion (misoprostol).  Fainting can be caused from blood loss, or just a rapid change in blood pressure, or from dehydration.  I don't have any information to add.  If you faint again, you should see a doctor.
There is more information an medical abortion and the abortion pill on my website: http://www.earlyabortionoptions.com
I hope this is helpful and I hope this process goes well for you,
Doctor Joan