Online or At-home abortions utilize the abortion pill (also called medical abortion) to terminate a pregnancy. Just like every medical procedure, the abortion pill has risks. Assessing the risks of using the abortion pill without medical supervision before you decide is wise and helps to ensure your safety.
What Should You Know?
Before obtaining the abortion pill online, you should learn more about your pregnancy to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure. Certain factors can rule out your eligibility for the procedure.
- Is your pregnancy viable? Around 20% of pregnancies end in natural miscarriages. Before putting your body through an unnecessary procedure, determine if the pregnancy has a heartbeat and is growing. If not, you should seek care from a medical provider to outline your next steps.
- Is your pregnancy less than 10 weeks old? The FDA has only approved the abortion pill in pregnancies under 10 weeks. If your pregnancy is further along and you choose to terminate, you will need a surgical abortion.
- Is your pregnancy located in your uterus? Sometimes a pregnancy implants outside the uterus, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy. This condition is life-threatening for the woman and must be addressed as soon as possible, but the abortion pill is not an effective treatment.
The best way to identify these factors is through a diagnostic test called an ultrasound. The ultrasound is safe and noninvasive while allowing your provider a glimpse into your body to gather this information.
Choosing an at-home abortion means that women will be responsible for monitoring themselves for possible complications. In addition to learning about the requirements for the abortion pill, it is a good idea to understand the risks of the abortion pill before obtaining the abortion pill online.
Risks of the abortion pill can 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
Women choosing an online provider for their abortion pill should also know whom they will call if they need emergency medical help due to the procedure. Signs that a woman should seek immediate medical attention during or after using the abortion pill include:
- Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
- Severe abdominal or back pain
- Fever lasting more than 24 hours
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
What to Consider Before Choosing an Online or At-Home Abortion
While obtaining the abortion pill online is becoming more common, the FDA cautions women against doing so. The FDA is responsible for regulating medications for the safety of Americans, but when medication is purchased online, they cannot regulate it. Medication purchased online can be ineffective and unsafe, and there is no way to guarantee its origin.
Obtaining the abortion pill online is also unsafe because a provider cannot provide the same level of care as an in-person provider. Gaps in this care are components like the physical exam and ultrasound. This hands-on care is crucial to a woman’s safety and should not be bypassed.
Your Safety Takes Priority
Life Choices Medical Center offers free ultrasounds to confirm and locate your pregnancy. Don’t skip this essential step in your decision-making process. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential appointment.