Are you concerned with the safety factor of an online/at-home abortion? We understand, as your safety is the top priority. There are unique risk factors of ordering the abortion pill online and taking it in your home with little to no medical oversight. The following is what you need to know.
What is an Online or At-Home Abortion?
Also known as online or at-home abortion, medical abortion consists of two drugs to terminate a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. The FDA only recommends women up to 70 days gestation take the abortion pill (also known as medical abortion).
Potential risks of a medical abortion vary but 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
Is it Safe?
There are major risks to an abortion procedure, especially when an abortion occurs at home. You are in charge of monitoring the progress of the abortion, which is vital to protecting your health and safety. It can be a lot of pressure to take on.
Ordering the Abortion Pill Online
When ordering anything online, you cannot be 100 percent sure that the quality and quantity are what they describe. The FDA does not recommend ordering mifepristone (the first drug) online.
Since women who order the abortion pill online cannot be sure of the drug’s origin, it’s a significant safety risk. Also, in-person medical supervision is missing, which can threaten a woman’s safety.
Online abortion providers are limited in what they can offer women. With limited online capability, women are not able to receive the following in-person services that are essential before a pregnancy decision:
- Physical exam for vital information like heart rate, blood pressure, and signs of infection
- Pregnancy confirmation
- Ultrasound for the location of the pregnancy
Protect Your Health
The Mayo Clinic recommends a woman have a physical exam by a medical provider and an ultrasound. An ultrasound can determine if a woman is eligible for the abortion pill by providing information about the pregnancy’s viability, location, and gestational age.
To be sure of where your pregnancy health stands before an abortion or to learn about your other options, make a free and confidential appointment today.