While an at-home abortion may seem convenient, it does not come without serious risk.
In general, whether taken at home or in a clinic, the abortion pill can have negative effects on your health. Choosing to have an at-home abortion often bypasses critical safeguards like meeting with a medical provider and receiving an ultrasound scan.
Additionally, the efficacy of mail-order abortion pills cannot always be verified. Continue reading to learn more about the risks of an at-home abortion.
What is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill, formally referred to as medical abortion, terminates a pregnancy using the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone first blocks the hormone progesterone, which thins the lining of the uterus and causes the pregnancy to detach. Then, misoprostol creates uterine contractions, which cause the expulsion of the pregnancy through the vagina.
Why An Ultrasound Scan?
There are three critical pieces of information needed from an ultrasound before having an abortion. First, an ultrasound determines the viability of the pregnancy. If the pregnancy is not viable, meaning there is no heartbeat, there is no reason to have an abortion.
Additionally, an ultrasound uses measurements to confirm the age of the pregnancy, and according to the FDA, pregnancies beyond 10 weeks do not qualify for the abortion pill. Therefore, the age of the pregnancy is crucial in determining your eligibility for the abortion pill.
While you may be able to estimate the age of your pregnancy from your last menstrual period,
this method can be inaccurate.
For an abortion to be effective, the pregnancy must be located within the uterus. An ultrasound determines the location of the pregnancy and ensures that you do not have an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy implanted outside of the uterus. An abortion not only does not treat an ectopic pregnancy, but an ectopic pregnancy also requires emergency medical intervention.
Proper Medical Oversight
Even if your pregnancy meets the requirements for the abortion pill, it is essential to discuss your personal medical history with a medical provider.
The following conditions/circumstances make you ineligible for the abortion pill:
- Have an IUD
- Have certain medical conditions, including bleeding disorders, heart or blood vessel disease, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, or uncontrolled seizure disorder
- Take a blood thinner or certain steroid medications
- Can’t make follow-up visits to your provider or don’t have access to emergency care
- Have an allergy to the abortion pill
Efficacy of Online Abortion Pills
When ordering the abortion pill online, it can be difficult to confirm you are receiving the quality and dosage that is advertised.
According to the FDA, there have been reports of unregulated abortion pills being sold online. Not knowing details about the drug you are receiving can make it difficult to predict the risks you are assuming.
Get Help Today
Choices provides a judgment-free environment where you can learn more about your pregnancy and your options.
We offer no-cost lab-grade pregnancy testing and ultrasound scans, and our trusted staff is here to answer your questions and provide helpful resources.
For the sake of your health and future, contact us today for your confidential appointment.
Pregnancy Testing
To confirm your pregnancy, start with a no-cost pregnancy test from Choices. We will confidentially provide conclusive results at no cost to you.
STD/STI Services
During your pregnancy test, we also offer limited STD/STI screening. You and your partner receive no-cost treatment if you test positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, or syphilis.
Ultrasounds
If your pregnancy test is positive, complete the confirmation process with a no-cost limited ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms viability, the gestational age, and the location of your pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you’ve taken the first dose of the abortion pill method and regret your decision, it may not be too late to save your pregnancy. There’s a process called Abortion Pill Reversal, but you must act quickly.
Pregnancy Testing
To confirm your pregnancy, start with a no-cost pregnancy test from Choices. We will confidentially provide conclusive results at no cost to you.
STD/STI Services
During your pregnancy test, we also offer limited STD/STI screening. You and your partner receive no-cost treatment if you test positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, or syphilis.
Ultrasounds
If your pregnancy test is positive, complete the confirmation process with a no-cost limited ultrasound. An ultrasound confirms viability, the gestational age, and the location of your pregnancy.
Abortion Pill Reversal
If you’ve taken the first dose of the abortion pill method and regret your decision, it may not be too late to save your pregnancy. There’s a process called Abortion Pill Reversal, but you must act quickly.
