Online abortion or at-home abortion are both terms used for a medical abortion, more commonly known as “the abortion pill.”
As the names suggest, some women order abortion pills online, receive them in the mail, and take them at home. But is this safe? While the idea of privacy and convenience may sound appealing, it’s important to understand the medical risks and potential complications.
If you are considering taking the abortion pills, schedule an appointment for a free pregnancy test and ultrasound. This will confirm your pregnancy, determine how far along you are, and screen for a few conditions that could make taking the abortion pill dangerous.
The Abortion Pill Always Carries Risks
No matter where the abortion pill comes from, it’s important to be aware of possible serious or even life-threatening complications. The risks can include heavy bleeding, incomplete abortion, digestive discomfort, infection, and fever. Without medical supervision, these risks can increase, especially if the drugs were obtained from an unregulated online source.
Ordering abortion pills online and taking the drugs without medical guidance can add additional dangers, such as:
- Not knowing if the drugs are the right ingredients or in the correct dosage
- Lacking medical supervision when complications or questions arise
- Skipping essential pre-abortion screenings for STIs, underlying health conditions, or pregnancy complications like ectopic pregnancy
- Taking the abortion pill too late in pregnancy without realizing it (the FDA only approves use through 10 weeks)
Why Ultrasound Before Abortion Matters
The FDA advises against ordering abortion pills online from unregulated sources because there’s no way to guarantee the quality or safety of the drugs. Taking these medications without knowing details about your pregnancy can put your health at serious risk a free ultrasound from North Care can give you those key details.
An ultrasound can:
- Confirm the pregnancy is inside the uterus (not ectopic)
- Measure your gestational age to ensure you are within the approved timeframe for the abortion pill
- Detect a miscarriage, which means an abortion would be unnecessary
You should also receive STD testing to reduce your risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can trigger chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and other complications.
Protect Your Health First
Your safety should be the top priority.
At North Care Women’s Clinic, we offer free and confidential services to confirm your pregnancy. We can provide the facts you need to protect your health and make an informed decision.
While we do not perform or refer for abortions, we can help you understand your options and learn vital information. Schedule your free appointment today and take the first step toward protecting your health.
Sources:Mifepristone (Mifeprex) – MedlinePlus.gov
Medical Abortion – MayoClinic.org
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – MayoClinic.org
Miscarriage – MayoClinic.org
Ectopic Pregnancy – MayoClinic.org
