Should I Buy the Abortion Pills Online and Be Part of the 64%?

Christa Brown, BSN, RN, Senior Director of Medical Impact, works with a team of medical professionals who see the direct impact of abortion pill usage. In a recent article, Brown stated, ‘We’ve sadly seen a reduction in pre-abortion exams or ultrasounds before the start of their abortions’ in reference to women calling a nurse hotline after taking mifepristone.

The article goes on to report that in 2022, the percentage of women receiving an ultrasound prior to taking mifepristone was 64%, down from 100% in 2017. Mifepristone, which works to block progesterone leading to pregnancy termination, was first approved by the FDA in 2000. At that time, it was approved for the termination of early pregnancy, defined as 49 days from last menstrual period and could only be distributed to physicians who have access to ultrasonography. This protected women’s healthy by allowing physicians to determine the gestational age and to aid in the detection of ectopic pregnancies, a potentially deadly condition if not detected.  

More recently, many of the recommendations and allowances for the use of mifepristone have been removed. They include:

• Extension of use from 49 days to 70 days
• Removal of in-person visit requirements
• Removal of REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) label protections
• Removal of the requirement for a pre-abortion ultrasound to determine gestational age and pregnancy location

There remains a great deal of disagreement regarding how the abortion pills are prescribed, dispensed, as well as recommendations and safeguards for use. To that end, the U. S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a lower court decision that could potentially add additional protective measures for the use of mifepristone. 

What does this mean?

If you are considering an abortion, one option that may cross your mind is ordering abortion pills online. It may feel like this option offers the highest level of privacy, personal comfort, and ability to move forward with life. In some states doctors are allowed to prescribe the abortion pill after a telehealth consultation, without an in-person visit or health screening. 

If a second line appears on a home pregnancy test and you find yourself considering ordering pills online, keep in mind that without an in-person visit, answers to crucial information will remain unanswered. Crucial information includes:

• Is the pregnancy viable (up to 1 in 4 pregnancies end on their own; 80% of those within the first 12 weeks)

• Is the pregnancy in your uterus or is it ectopic? (2% or 1 in 50 pregnancies are ectopic)

• How far along is your pregnancy? (ultrasound measurements are the most accurate determination of gestational age)

How Do I Know If I’m Eligible for An Abortion?

That’s a question an ultrasound can answer for you because it will help provide you with the gestational age of your pregnancy. The FDA has only approved the abortion pill through the first ten weeks (70 days) of pregnancy. After this time period, surgical abortion might be required.

Scheduling a no-cost ultrasound at Anchor of Hope allows you to confirm the gestational age of your pregnancy, confirm the location of the pregnancy (ensuring it is not ectopic), and determine pregnancy viability.

The professional staff at Anchor of Hope provide a confidential, pressure-free environment for you to get more information about your pregnancy and learn about options. 

Text a licensed medical professional at 920-452-4673 or schedule your appointment today.