A mail-order abortion involves ordering the abortion pill online and terminating a pregnancy at home. If you’re hoping to have an abortion, you may feel this method sounds convenient and straightforward.
However, while all abortion poses risks to your physical and mental health, choosing to terminate without medical supervision increases your risk of complications.
Additionally, at-home abortion comes with additional risks when you order drugs from illegitimate or overseas pharmacies. Keep reading to learn more about these risks.
You can also schedule a no-cost and confidential appointment at Chester County ConnectCare to talk in person and receive early pregnancy services.
A Warning from the FDA
Because the FDA is unable to regulate drugs purchased from outside the United States and through illegal distribution channels, the FDA advises women against ordering the abortion pill online.
When you choose to order the abortion pill online, there is no way to guarantee that the drugs you receive are the correct drugs in the proper dosages. They could also be poor quality or unsafe; there’s no way to know. They may not function like they should.
Don’t Miss Important Screenings
Another concern with ordering the abortion pill online is missing an in-person health screening before an abortion.
Because certain health conditions and pregnancy factors make the abortion pill unsafe, a screening with a healthcare provider is critical to determine your risks, giving you the information you need to make an informed pregnancy decision.
Along with a thorough review of your health history, you can confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound to protect your health from preventable complications. It will determine the following:
- Progressing Pregnancy – A pregnancy is progressing if there is a detectable fetal heartbeat on ultrasound, and according to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage. If a woman does not have an ultrasound before terminating and has miscarried, a woman may take abortion pills for no reason.
- Gestational Age – Many women calculate their pregnancy age based on their last period. However, the age of a pregnancy should be confirmed by ultrasound before terminating with the abortion pill to ensure the pregnancy is not beyond 10 weeks, the FDA-approved timeframe.
- Pregnancy Location – An ectopic pregnancy is a severe pregnancy complication that occurs when the pregnancy implants outside the uterus. When women miss ultrasounds, this complication can go unnoticed. An abortion cannot treat ectopic pregnancies, which can often require emergency medical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications.
General Risks of the Abortion Pill Without Supervision
While every woman’s body responds differently to abortion, all women considering abortion should be aware of the following physical health risks:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by a surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
If something goes wrong during the procedure, and you experience blood clots larger than a lemon, or are filling two pads an hour for two hours, you will need medical help quickly.
Medical supervision is critical so women do not miss the signs of infection, heavy bleeding, or incomplete abortion. Always make sure you are putting your health and safety first.
Get Help Today
Navigating a pregnancy decision can sometimes feel like too much to bear, but you should know you are not alone.
Chester County ConnectCare offers free lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasound scans. After getting more details about your pregnancy, our trained staff can answer your questions and discuss your options.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment.