Abortion is very common in the UK – one in three women will terminate a pregnancy at some point in their lives – and Lily has approached the situation sensibly. However, while she is sure of her decision, how she is feeling physically and emotionally is understandable, as it can be a difficult thing to go through.

The nausea and headache Lily is experiencing are due to the first tablet she has taken. This is mifepristone, which blocks the progesterone needed in order to maintain a pregnancy. Other common side effects include vomiting – and if this happens within an hour of taking the tablet can mean it isn’t fully absorbed, though this is not the case for Lily – diarrhoea, feeling warmer or colder than usual, and dizziness.

Mifepristone also makes the uterus more receptive to misoprostol, which is Lily’s second tablet. This is taken 24-48 hours later and must be placed between the cheek and gum and allowed to dissolve. Sometimes women are given a vaginal pessary to use instead. The medicine causes the cervix to soften and the uterus to contract, so Lily can expect to experience cramping and bleeding within a couple of hours of taking the tablet as the pregnancy expels. Pain relief is a good idea, and she will need to use sanitary towels. Symptoms can continue for a week or so, albeit easier than the first few hours, and Lily will need to do another pregnancy test two weeks after treatment to ensure it has worked. She should seek medical help if she feels very unwell, or if she doesn’t experience any bleeding after the misoprostol.

Tampons should not be used until the next period, and sex avoided for a week. Contraception is highly recommended as it is possible to fall pregnant almost immediately after an abortion.