If you think you might be unexpectedly pregnant, you may be considering ordering the abortion pill online. Although accessing the abortion pill may seem easy and convenient, you should be aware of the risks.
Be sure you know your unique medical needs and if the abortion pill is applicable to your situation to put your health and safety first.
What Is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill is also known as a medical or medication abortion. It is actually a series of two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone, the first dose, blocks the production of progesterone, a pregnancy hormone, causing the pregnancy to stop progressing and detach from the uterus.
The second drug, misoprostol, causes contractions that expel the pregnancy from the uterus through the vagina.
Risks of the Abortion Pill
There are several possible physical risks of the abortion pill, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are also some instances in which the abortion pill is not an option due to other medical complications, and over 200 medications that should not be taken with the abortion pill.
Possible physical risks of taking the abortion pill include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Taking the abortion pill is not an option for you if you:
- Are too far along in your pregnancy (nine weeks or more from the start of your last period)
- Have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place
- Have a suspected pregnancy outside of the uterus, called an ectopic pregnancy
- Have certain medical conditions. These include bleeding disorders; particular heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicines
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care
- Have an allergy to the medicine used
Risks of Ordering the Abortion Pill Online
Ever order something online and have it arrive to you looking nothing like what you ordered? Similarly, ordering medication online can be risky, and nothing can replace the specialized care of seeing a medical professional for an in-person examination.
Here are a few of the risks involved with ordering the abortion pill online:
1) Skipping In-Person Medical Care & Pregnancy Confirmation
You may have a general idea of how far along in pregnancy you are based on your last menstrual period. But, this is not the most reliable way to date a pregnancy, and gestational age can only be confirmed for certain through an ultrasound exam.
Without seeking in-person care through medical pregnancy confirmation and ultrasound, you may be at risk of taking the abortion pill too late in pregnancy. This could result in incomplete abortion, infection, or other medical complications that could require further emergency medical treatment.
In-person care through an ultrasound exam is also the only reliable way to diagnose complications such as ectopic pregnancy.
2) Unknown Medication Quality
When ordering the abortion pill online, it can come with a certain risk of uncertainty. As with any medication online, it is vitally important to ensure you are receiving quality medicine that is FDA-approved.
Some online vendors may not be properly vetted and could be selling substandard medication. Before taking any medications or undergoing an important medical procedure, you should discuss them with a trusted, licensed medical provider.
3) Next Steps
If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, the most important thing you can do next is to prioritize your health and well-being.
No matter what you decide, especially if that involves the abortion pill, it is important to confirm your pregnancy and receive an ultrasound to verify how far along you are and ensure you are not at risk for other medical complications. This can also help you understand what options are available to you.
You deserve to have all the information at your disposal to make a confident, healthy choice. Schedule your free appointment today – you are not alone as you navigate this decision.
