While it is possible for you to order the abortion pill online, choosing to have an at-home abortion may put your health in danger.
Mail-order abortions bypass certain safeguards in place for the protection of your health, like ultrasound scans and meeting with a medical provider.
Additionally, you run the risk of purchasing the abortion pill from an unregulated website, which can make it difficult to confirm the quality of the drug you receive.
Continue reading to learn more about the risks of online abortion.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill (medical abortion) terminates a pregnancy with two drugs – mifepristone and misoprostol.
First, mifepristone is administered to block progesterone. Misoprostol is then used to create cramping and bleeding. As the uterus contracts, the pregnancy is expelled through the vagina.
The Importance of Medical Oversight and Ultrasound Scans
Just because you are pregnant does not mean you are eligible for the abortion pill. The age of your pregnancy, the location of your pregnancy, and certain health factors determine your eligibility.
For the protection of your health, it is vital to have an ultrasound scan and discuss your health history with a medical provider before choosing to have an abortion.
According to the FDA, the abortion pill should not be administered beyond 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Additionally, the Mayo Clinic states you are ineligible for the abortion pill if you:
- Have an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus)
- Have certain medical conditions, including bleeding disorders, heart or blood vessel disease, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, or uncontrolled seizure disorder
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care
- Have an allergy to the abortion pill
Unregulated Abortion Pills
When ordering the abortion pill online, it can be difficult to verify that the drugs are coming from a reputable source.
The FDA has reported cases of unapproved abortion drugs being sold online.
For that reason, you could be putting your health in jeopardy if the quality and dosage of the drugs that are advertised are not what you receive.
Pre-Abortion Consultation
When you choose to have a mail-order abortion, you may not have an accurate idea of the unique health risks you could face using the abortion pill.
Learning more about your pregnancy can help you make an informed decision that is best for your health and future.
Options Care Center can provide no-cost medical-grade pregnancy testing and a follow-up ultrasound. After determining the details of your pregnancy, our trusted team can answer your questions and discuss your options.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment.
