Think you might be unexpectedly pregnant and considering ordering the abortion pill online? Understandably, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed – but to protect your health and safety, you deserve to have all the information before making your next steps.
Be sure you know your unique medical needs and if the abortion pill is medically applicable to your situation. You deserve to put your health first.
What Is the Abortion Pill?Medical or medication abortion is also commonly referred to as the abortion pill. It is a two-step process with a series of two separate medications: mifepristone and misoprostol.
The first dose, mifepristone, stops the production of progesterone, a pregnancy hormone. This causes the pregnancy to stop growing or progressing and detach from the uterus.
Then misoprostol, the second dose, causes the uterus to contract and cramp, expelling the pregnancy and tissue through the vagina.
Risks of the Abortion PillLike most major medical undertakings, the abortion pill comes with a certain set of potential physical risks, as shared by the Mayo Clinic. The abortion pill may also not be a safe option in some circumstances due to other medical conditions or if the patient is actively taking one of over 200 medications that should not be taken with the abortion pill.
Some physical risks of taking the abortion pill may 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:
- 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
Ordering something online always comes with an inherent amount of risk. Have you ever ordered something online and had it come to you looking nothing like what you thought you ordered? In the same way, ordering medication online can be risky, and nothing can replace specialized, in-person care with a medical professional.
There are a few specific risks involved with ordering the abortion pill online:
Missing Specialized In-Person Care & Pregnancy ConfirmationYou may have guessed how far along you might be in pregnancy based on your last period. However, this is not a 100% reliable way to date a pregnancy, and gestational age can only be confirmed through an ultrasound exam.
Without the confirmation of specialized, in-reason care that answers key details about your pregnancy, you may be at risk of taking the abortion pill too late in pregnancy. This could put you at risk of incomplete abortion, infection, or other complications requiring emergency medical treatment.
Without in-person care through an ultrasound exam, you may also be unaware of other medical complications, such as ectopic pregnancy.
Unknown Medication QualityOrdering medication online can be risky and comes with a certain amount of uncertainty. It is vitally important to ensure you receive quality, FDA-approved medicine.
The FDA warns against the risks of ordering medication online for this reason. Some online vendors may not be adequately vetted and could be selling subpar medication. Before taking any medications, it is wise to discuss them with a trusted, licensed medical provider.
Next StepsThe most important thing you can do next if you're facing an unexpected pregnancy is to put your health and well-being first.
No matter what you decide, it's essential to confirm your pregnancy and receive an ultrasound first to verify critical details about your pregnancy and ensure you are not at risk for certain complications. You can also find out some information that may inform what options are available to you.
You deserve to have all the facts to confidently make healthy next steps. Schedule your free appointment today – you are not alone on your pregnancy decision journey.