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Has an unintended pregnancy led you to consider if a mail-order abortion may be for you? Before you hit “submit” there are three things you should know before you order.
- First, do you know if you have any pre-existing conditions or take medications that could make taking the abortion pill dangerous?
- Second, have you reviewed the risks of the abortion pill with a licensed medical professional?
- Third, have you confirmed your pregnancy by scheduling an ultrasound at no cost to you?
What to Know About Mail-Order Abortion
The FDA does not recommend purchasing mifepristone outside of the Mifepristone REMS Program – e.g. Buying it on line or personally transporting it from a foreign country is highly discouraged. The abortion pills comes with associated risks and skipping essential screenings can negatively impact your health and safety.
You May Be Ineligible for the Abortion Pill
The Mayo Clinic has published an extensive review of potential allergies, age restrictions, and drug interactions (certain medications) that would preclude you from safely taking the abortion pill.
Additionally, if the following applies to you, it may not be safe for you to take the abortion pill:
- Are too far along in your pregnancy? FDA approval is for up to 70 days LMP.
- Do you have an intrauterine device (IUD) currently in place?
- Do you have an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside of the uterus)?
- Do you have certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders; particular heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder?
- Are you breastfeeding?
- Do you take a blood thinner or certain steroid medicine?
- Are you able to make follow-up visits to your provider or do you have access to emergency care if needed?
- Have an allergy to the medicine used.
Potential Risks to Taking the Abortion Pill
The access to online medications does not mean those medications come without risks. There may be serious risks to consider before you consider the online ordering and use of abortion pills. Those include:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – This can develop after having an abortion with an untreated STD. Getting proper screening and treatment before this procedure can prevent this risk.
- Incomplete Abortion requiring follow up with a surgical abortion. An incomplete abortion happens when parts of the pregnancy remain in the uterus. Recent data suggests this could be as frequent as 1 in 20 women requiring surgery after chemical abortion.
- Other Risks – Digestive system discomfort, heavy and prolonged bleeding, fever, and infection are all serious risks of the abortion pill.
- Risk of Ectopic Pregnancy – An undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy is a severe and potentially life threatening concern.
The Need for an Important Abortion Information Consultation
Before you order the abortion pills, getting your ultrasound and STD testing is essential.
A licensed medical professional can perform an ultrasound at no cost to you and this test can determine exactly how far along you are. Knowing the gestational age of your pregnancy is crucial. The abortion pills are only FDA-approved through the first ten weeks of pregnancy and can be dangerous if used after this period of time.
Testing for STDs can help prevent the risk of PID and protect your health and potential future pregnancies. Since many STDs do not have noticeable symptoms, getting tested (including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea) is crucial for your overall sexual health.
Next Steps
Anchor of Hope offers both ultrasounds and STD testing at no cost to you. Before you hit “submit,” make your appointment today.
